Evening star., 1935-05-25
THIS AND THAT
BY CHARLES z. TRACEWELL.

ogy, whether he realizes 1t or not; he
will come In time. as he studies this
text and accompanying photographs,
TO have a far better comprehension
Of the real worth Of these small crea-
lures.
In addition, Exotic Aquarium
Fishes" will show the beginner the
fishes he really can acquire, without
cluttering his head with rarities
which only q few persons have ever
seen. 1t will tell him how best to
care for the fishes he secures, how
to manage q tank, feed its inmates
in health. and treat their diseases
when these occur, as they will from
time to time.
The reader will remember that this
book Is the outgrowth of Mr.. Innes'
work as editor Of The Aquarium
magazine. He has had the benefit
OF thousands upon thousands OF ques-
tions from readers. and knows the
point Of view Of the home fish cul-
turist as few persons do or can
Hence his book Is peculiarly for the
amateur. At the same time it carries
such a stock of true lore that the
experienced fancier alone can recog-
nize 1t.
In nothing more than the illustra-
tions is this shown, for the newcomer
may accept these as a matter of
course, whereas the experienced fish
fancier will recognize them as true
works Of art. incorporating a loving
care and interest along with the
tographer. working with the latest
development OF the art.
Here, for the first time, he will
find a genuine color photograph of
father and mother angel fish sur
rounded by their scores of babies.
Here he will see, for the first time,
q photograph of blow1sh held in
the hand, blown up into a perfect
ball Here are shown the spawnings
OF the Beta and the Rasbora. and
many another interesting phase in
the lives Of many unusual creatures.
While the illustrations are unique,
they are by no means all. The text
itself is completely free from that
confusion which seems to beset even
the most learned when attempting
to tell others about fishes. Especially
is this true in detailing tank manage
ment. For every point that may be
mentioned there is a counter-point.
For every rule there is an exception.
When one is dealing with life itself,
and especially life usually over
crowded into too limited space. one
must fnd many exceptions, which
by no means make rules, however.
In dealing with the hundred and
one points of aquarium management,
as well as in discussing the different
fishes themselves, Mr.. Innes writes
with divine common sense. so casually
that the uninitisted. picking up this
book, might not realize the vast ex-
perience behind each sentence
Exotic Aquarium Fishes" is that
rare thing. a specialists book which
is good reading for anybody and
everybody. In physical makeup
contents and illustrations it leaves
nothing to be desired by the lobbyist
When the writer here took up this
hobby, three years ago this month.
there was nothing to be found except
few pamphlets. Since that date
several books on the hobby have ap-
peared. but none so rich and in
formative as this one. The lore of
seas and nations is in this book. II
Is safe to say that even Germany,
which pioneered in the keeping and
culture Of these curious animals
popularity called tropical fish" pos
sesses no popular work on the subject
as worthy as Exotic Aquarium
Fishes" by Bill" Innes Of Philadel-
pfia, U. S. A.