We are beginning to connect Mr. Gosse’s name with the sea-side. For the future, when he announces a book, we shall conclude that it is to detail more of his pleasant experiences on the sea-shore, and to shed further light on our knowledge of the habits and manners of the tenants of the deep. Who that has seen the aquavivarium (we prefer this word to aquarium) in Regent’s Park, has not longed to have a tank in their study or drawing-room ? Who has not felt that beautiful and wonderful as plants are, animals are more wonderful still. One of the objects of Mr. Gosse’s book is to give directions for keeping and domesticating marine animals. Our wood anemonies in Ward’s cases are to be supplanted by sea-anemonies in Mr. Gosse’s vases. Instead of dogs and cats we are to have dog-fish and cat-fish. Our gold carp is to be supplanted by the ancient Wrasse, and the corals on the fire-place are to give way to living corals working in a little ocean of their own. But what has this to do with the microscope? Very much. All the animals that can be kept in the aquarium, afford interesting employment for the microscope. Much yet remains to be known of the structure of many of the creatures which are most easily kept in this artificial manner. To those who would wish to examine these creatures we recommend Mr. Gosse’s volume. It has several illustrations done in chromolithography, and also wood engravings of scenery and natural objects, and is, throughout, written in Mr. Gosse’s usually felicitous style.

© 1854 by the Company of Biologists Ltd.
1854