The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-11

with constant flow of water. the other t.
carry off the overflow and a small tank or
aquarium for the reception of the young
shad as they are Matched. The supply tube
extends TO the bottom of the jar and the
water, rising to the exit at the top. keep:
the mass of eggs in constant circulation. or
what has been best described as the boil
ing motion" bringing each egg III success
sion to the top. 1t. is property Of the
dead eggs that once they reach the top of
the mass. they will not again mingle with
the others, so that they gradually accumu-
late in the upper portion OF the jar. whence
they are removed by simply pushing down
the exit tube until they are carried OFF
with the overflow. Eight or twelve OF the
jars are arranged round one tank and fur
nished with water from the general supply
pipe at the rate of about two quarts per
minute Each jar holds six quarts and has
capacity of over 100000 eggs, though
usually containing about IS, eco.
So transparent is the egg, and so rapid
is the development of the embryo fish when
once started, that, with close and system
attic observation, the whole series of
changes may be plainly observed in the
one individual. until it bursts the delicate
membrane and emerges into free exist
ence. These eggs afford perhaps the great
est facility in all nature of observing the
process of germinal life in the fish king
dom. AS already stated. the spectator first
discerns little more than two very bright
eyes in the little globular mass. but upon
closer inspection. two or three faint, shad-
owy, dark lines are observable. cooled half
round the interior of the egg, marking
the position of the body, which at this
stage is nearly as transparent as the sur
rounding water. The fish has acquired con-
siderable power of movement by the time
the eyes have appeared, and at strikingly
regular intervals of about one second gives
vigorous wriggle. A few hours later. or
at about the end of the third day after
being placed in the jar. movement of
more than usual strength will rupture the
frail prison and set the fish, as it should
be called at that time, free.
Transferred to New Quarters.
The infant fish does not long enjoy his
original quarters. but is carried into a re-
ceiving tank, whence he is transferred,
with his fellows, into tin cans for distribu
ton. 1t is found necessary to effect this
at once in the case of the Potomac shad,
for, unlike many of the species handled by
the Fish Commission, the trout the SAL
mon, and the bass, for example, the shad
cannot be reared to maturity in confire-
ment. He must soon be turned loose to
find his natural food and to make his way
at the end of summer TO the sea, his pro 3er
home. The shad belongs to that class OF
fishes called aDadromus, which ascend the
rivers and estuaries at certain seasons, re-
turning again to salt water.
The distributing cans contain each about
thirty thousand fry, and are sent By rail
to various points on the coast. They are
there emptied into the mouths of rivers, |
and attain in the course of the summer a
length of two or three inches.
Thus is the work of the Fish Commits son |
exemplified in the case of our Potomac |
River shad, and thus are handled during |
the course of each year between seventy |
five and one hundred millions of them. but |
this Is only a small item in the entire work |
OF the bureau. The process of stocking |
waters with indigenous fishes is carried on |
from stations situated all over the country, |
and the result is the steady increase in the |
value Of the fisheries where an equally /
steady decrease had previously been the
rule. More striking results, however have
followed the introduction of species into
waters Of which they are not natives, as
hat of the shad into the Pacific Coast re-
sions. In 1871 the California State F sh
Commission planted twelve thousand OF
hese fish in the Sacramento River with
good result. The enterprise was then
aiken up by the National Fish Commission,
with the result that the species is now
'ound along the entire coast as far north
IS Alaska. The value of the fishing is
something enormous. The planting OF
striped bass in the waters of the Pacific,
hough on a smaller scale, has met with a
Ike success. and many more instances of
he same nature might be adduced.
The Government Of Canada is said to be
he only one in the world n "a rI-y IN
tions OF magnitude in anywise compar-
ble to those of the United States Fish
but the European governments
re gradually taking the matter in hand.
Is pioneer the American Fish Commits
ion has benefited the entire world while
is value to this country is recognized as
nestimable.