Page:Midland naturalist (IA midlandnaturalis01lond).pdf/107

solution of such problems as how to secure the proper development of and render available those almost innumerable germs of food supply that are produced by sea fishes in general. The Turbot, for instance, produces about fourteen millions of eggs annually, of which not one perhaps in ten thousand reaches maturity, nor one in a million finds its way to our tables. Our knowledge of the laws governing the movements—the appearance and disappearance in certain localities—of the Herring and other fishes, their spawning and time of development, is still obscure; and if we had light thrown upon this subject thousands of tons of valuable food would he available for us. These enquiries cannot be considered visionary, nor the results obtained from them unprofitable, when it is remembered that within the last few years of judicious legislation, the result of accurate knowledge obtained by these researches has so developed the Salmon fishery that, in place of this fish being only obtainable by the few and wealthy, it is now every season so cheap and abundant as to be found on the table of the artisan.”

The idea of the Birmingham Aquarium was ultimately revived in a definite form by the late Mr. Arthur Ryland, (to whom the origination of the Midland Institute was also due,) and he succeeded in enlisting the support ant co-operation of a number of influential gentlemen to a proposal, which led to the formation last rear of a Limited Company for the construction of the Birmingham Aquarium. It was felt that an Aquarium alone could not be made to succeed financially, and it would require to be combined with come other attraction, such as first-class music, and must consequently involve the erection of a large building in some central situation. The great difficulty experienced was the obtaining a suitable site in a sufficiently central situation; but this has been now overcome in a highly satisfactory manner, by obtaining the site of the old Hen and Chickens Hotel, in New Street, (classic ground of the old coaching days,) which is a remarkably favourable situation for ready access of the public, in the principal thoroughfare of the town, and in close proximity to the the railway stations. The hotel will he converted into a first-class restaurant, the largest in the town, and in the rear will be built the Aquarium, with a spacious and convenient Concert Room above it, affording facilities for concerts that have been long felt to be much needed it the town.

The Aquarium will consist of a large, handsome Hall, upwards of 100 feet in length, with a series of tanks extending along each side, and forming the sides of the Hall, and amounting in total extent to about as much as these of the Crystal Palace Aquarium. There will also be an extensive series of table tanks; and in the rear a large and commodious space for the food and store tanks, the machinery, and the general working purposes of the Aquarium. The public approach will be from the present portico in New Street, through a large Entrance Hall, from which a handsome fight of steps will lead down to the Aquarium, which will be constructed of red terra-cotta, with the ceiling supported by arches resting on ornamental pillars. The large Assembly Room, on a level with the New Street entrance and over the Aquarium, will be 165 feet long; and will consist of three divisions—the first portion being appropriated