New Books. A Handbook to the Marine Aquarium,
by P. H. Gosse.
London; Van Voorst. 1855. 12mo.

     The great importance of the Aquarium as a means of extending our knowledge of marine zoology is now so generally admitted, that there is little need for us to dwell upon it. Since the principal of maintaining the balance of animal and vegetable life in a confined space was first put forward, the Zoological Society has established a fine collection of marine animals, which has enabled even the general public to appreciate the beauty of these inhabitants of the deep. Mr. Gosse very naturally concludes, that this exhibition will induce many to attempt the formation of Aquaria in their own houses; and his object in publishing this little book is to furnish such persons with the necessary directions for the construction and management of their collections. It is, as he tells us in his preface, founded to a great extent upon the concluding chapter of his larger work upon the Aquarium, a work which, from its entering largely upon the natural history of the animals which may be kept in these artificial rock-pools, and from the expensive nature of its illustrations, is far too costly to be generally available as a guide for beginners.
    This little handbook appears to contain every information that can be required for a commencement, - such as the different modes of constructing and fitting up the tanks, the mode of collecting animals and plants to stock them, and of keeping the inhabitants in health in their confined abode. We also find Mr. Gosse’s receipt for making artificial sea-water, which, notwithstanding Mr. Warington’s objections to it, appears to answer well, and will no doubt enable many to preserve marine animals in inland situations where they would be unable to procure natural sea-water. The whole of the directions are given in a plain and intelligible style, and the book will doubtless prove highly acceptable to those who interest themselves in marine zoology.