The Wilmingtonian., 1886-03-20
DIR. ShOrtlidge's Fish Hatchery.

terestlnR, either TO the student or the. casual
looker-on ttsn a ish-batchery. The idea
quickly awakens that latent curiosity which
lies hidden in us all of peering into and
watching the hidden mysteries of the physi-
cal world.
1t is no wonder then that the undertaking
started by the Delaware Game Association,
uuder the care and supervision of one of its
members, Dr. E. G. Shortlidge, is attracting
considerable attention in this city. In fact
just at this moment pilgrimage to the Fish
Hatchery at Brandywine seems to be the
proper thing, not only for Wilmingtonians
but also for visitors here. The ish-hatchery
is an established attraction.
On arriving at the Water-works the v;si-
tor is directed to the basement of the build
ing. In corner which seems to be set
apart for the purpose one readily recognizes,
or guesses, from the various scientific para
phernalia catching the eye, what must be
the hatchery. 1t reminds one of COZ :
ner in the Smithsonian Institute.
There are long glass boxes in wooden
myriads of little fish are seen disporting
themselves in squirming masses. They seem
lively and healthy, and apparently just as
happy as if they were in the neighborng
Brandywine. If the wish were expressed
for demonstration of the problem of per-
petual motion, or infnitude of motion, here
it may be seen IN this picture of infnitesimal
distribution of animation. Each little speck
of newborn life with glipting diamond eyes,
and transparent pellucid body, tumbles
around describing the most exact concentric
circles To watch the all-pei vading minute
motion is almost dazzling to the eye. Over
head are large jars, pipes, and condIits
through which constant current of fresh
cool, water is kept flowing through the
tanks. Of these tanks there are graded sets
for the differently matured fish.
In the glass jars referred to the spawn or
ova are deposited preparatory to incubation
In some of them the tenants have already
thrown off their ova life and can be seen
wriggling about, certainly very awkward.
looking little baby fish
The Doctor was found busily engaged
overseeing and regulating the hatchery,
testing the temperature, and transferring the
more matured fish TO their new apartments
A certain amount of exactitude appears nee
essary. AS soon as a trough had been
emptied of Young fish, which was accom-.
plished with wide, fiat, netted spatula, it
underwent thorough sponging and clean
ing process, and refilling with fresh water.
Around the room are seen miscellaneous
objects-black boxes, marked "U. s. F. c.,
Division c." Omitted States Fish Commits
sion), globes containing mature fish, one OF
two skeletons and an ugly little amphbian,
probably from Florida.
Standing looking at the glass jars contain
ing the spawn, you notice in some of them
general convolving motion Of the who'll
mass of the eggs, this is continuous and
regular, reminding the locker on of the con-
vergiDg and divergent movement in the or
dinary chromat Kaleidoscope. 1t would
not have specially attracted attention only
that in other jars the spawn was seen entire.
! ly motionless. Dir. Shortldge explained
that this were caused simply by the flow ol
water. 1t would not do, he added, pointing
to the spawn in the motionless jars to allow
too swift pressure of water there, as thost
eggs are larger and weighter, and would
possibly be injured by too strong a current
The boiling motion does not injure the
large ova are Lake trout spawn and recsivC
different treatment. The shad eggs ar,
lighter and probably can easily bear the
motion. All the spawn, at present in th,
hatchery was received in the early part o
December last, the shad eggs on the 14tl
and the trout on the 18th. 1t was sent from
Worthwhile, Michigan, United States Fisl
, Hatching Station on the shores of the lake
DR.. Shortlidge has in charge at presen
eight jars of Lake Michigan shad spawn
e Each jar holds about gallon and half o
/ water, in each of which was deposited 100, 00
a eggs. He has also three jars of Lake trou
d spawn, each jar couta ming 10000 eggs
e thirty thousand in all. Shad and trout ar
+ the only species that the Doctor is propaga
ing at present. The greater part of the sha
have been already successfully incubated
o AS soon as these are off his hands he pro
poses experimenting on Delaware shad, tn
spawn of which will be obtained in thi
t, neighburhood.
l. AS is well known the Delaware shad
d fast becoming scarce. This is more seriousl
e trle than is ordinarily supposed, and if som
l. such measures as are being under taken mo-
10 for the restorkiup nj Our roasts and rive,