The Artfculata are represented in these tanks by species of Lobster, Crab, Shrimp, and Prawn. Though many of these are inhabitants of the deep ocean, and only reward the labours of the dredger, yet they live perfectly well in the shallow lodgings provided for them by the Zoological Society. These facts demonstrate that amongst the Inver tebrate tribes there are none whose habits may not be studied in the Aquavivarium.
As yet the evidence is not complete with regard to marine fish. The only species at present tried in Regent's Park have been the smaller species that frequent the rocky pools of our coasts. Amongst others, the Cork-Wing (Crenilaln•us Cornitbietts), the Fifteen-Spined Stickleback, the Long-Spined Cottus, two species of Blenuy, and a Goby, testify how far this portion of the collection may be extended.
As far as experiment has gone, the success of the Aquavivarium is complete ; and it is not too much to suppose that the time will speedily arrive when in every exhibition of animal life glass-tanks will be fitted up for the purpose of illustrating the habits of marine and fresh water animals. As there are scarcely any limits to the size of which vessels made with square plates of glass can be constructed, we may hope to see sporting iu our zoological collections some of the monsters of the deep of whose actions and life we know absolutely nothing, and of whose forms we only judge by the shapeless masses which their skins present when stuffed, or their carcasses when bottled in spirits of wine.
Before concluding this article, we would call attention to the fact that the principles on which the Aquavivarium is constructed are also adapted to facilitate the removal from place to place of marine and fresh-water animals. These tanks may be easily fitted up on board ships, and, with a little attention from day to day, many of those creatures which are only known to the naturalist by its skeleton or its name, might be secured, and brought into our living museums.
(Athenceum, May 28, 1853 ; Annals of Natural History, May, 1858, Geese, A Naturalist's Rambles on the Devonshire Coast ; Dalyell, Remarkable Animals of Scotland.) AQUIFOLIA'CEsE from aqua, water, and foliann, leaf), JlcMtjWorts, a natural order of plants belonging to the Polyearpons group of Polypetalons Exogens. The species consist of trees or shrubs, with alternate or opposite coriaccous leaves. The flowers are small, axillary, solitary, or fascicled. The sepals 4-6, imbricated in aestiva tion ; the corolla 4- or 5-parted, hypogynous, imbricated in aestivation ; the stamens inserted into the corolla alternate with its segments, filaments erect, anthers adnate ; no disk : the ovary fleshy, superior, somewhat truncate, with from 2 to 6 cells; ovules solitary, pendulous from a cup-shaped funiculus ; stigma subsessile, lobed ; the fruit fleshy, indehiscent, with from 2 to 6 stones ; the seed suspended, nearly sessile, with large fleshy albumen, and a small 2-lobed embryo lying next the hilum, with minute cotyledons and superior radicle.
(Lindley.) This order, which is named after the Ilex aquifolium, the Common Holly [ILEX], was included by Jussieu in Rhainnacem. It has however been well characterised by Brongniart, in his memoir upon Rhamneous Plants, under the name llicinetr.
This order differs from Celastracar, in which it is often included as a section, in the form of its calyx and corolla, in the insertion of the stamens, and in the structure of the ovary and fruit. It agrees closely with Ebenacar, from which, according to Brongniart, it only differs in possessing hermaphrodite flowers, and stamens equal in number to the segments of the corolla.
This order has but one representative in Europe, the Common Holly (Rex aquifoliunt). The great bulk of the species are found in North and South America; some are found at the Cape of Good Hope.
The useful plants of this order are found in the genera lies, Myginda, and Prinos. Rex is remarkable for yielding in one of its species, /. Paraguensis, the alkaloid Thane, the same principle that is found in the rhea Chinensis. [TEA, PARAGUAY; ILEX.) Myginda was named after Francis von Mygind, a German botanist.
M. ttragoga is a native of South America, near Carthagena. It has small dark shining red flowers, and bears a red soft fruit about the size of a pea. It is called by the Spaniards Terra de Maraveili, and a decoction of the root is used as a diuretic. Al. Gongonha, a native of Brazil, in the provinces of St. Paul and Minas Geracs, has also the reputation of being a powerful diuretic, and its roots are used in infusion or decoction by the natives.
Prinos (from the Greek for the holly, 7rp7vos), Winterberry.
P. rerticillatus, Whorled Winterberry, is a native of North America, from Canada to Virginia, in sandy wet woods, and on the borders of swamps. The flowers are white, and the berries are of a crimson red. The bark is bitter, and has been substituted for Cinchona Bark in the treatment of fever. It is amid to act as an antiseptic, and is used in America as an application to gangrenous sores, and also in infusion or decoction, as a lotion in cutaneous disorders.
1'. glaber is a low handsome shrub, with white flowers and a black fruit ; hence, in Jersey, it is called Ink-Berries. It is a native of North America, from Canada to Florida. Its leaves are said to bo a good substitute for those of the Paraguay-Tea Plant, and are used for making tea.
There are several other species of Prinos, some of which are hardy, and well adapted for shrubberies. They will thrive in most light soils, but do best in peat. They may be propagated by laying down the shoots or by seeds The stove species should be grown in a mixture of loam and peat, and cuttings will root freely in sand, under a hand-glass. Most of the species of Aquifolinceous Plants may be cultivated in the same manner.
(Don, Gardener's Didionary ; Burnett, Outlines of Botany; Lindley, Natural System.)