RESISTANCE OF FISHES TO LACK OF OXYGEN. 



445 



2. The Process of Starvation. 



One set of six fishes was kept without food until death from 

 starvation resulted. The following table (I.) gives the consecu- 

 tive weights of the fishes during this time. 



TABLE I. 



Showing the regular decrease in weight of starving rock bass (Ambloplites rupestris 

 Raf.). The fishes were collected on December 6 and weighed as soon as gotten 

 to the laboratory which was two hours after capture. They were kept without 

 food during the entire period. Numbers at head of column indicate size group 

 to which the individual fishes belonged. Temp. 4-8 C. 



1 Increase instead of decrease. 



It will be noted from Table I. that the most rapid loss of weight 

 comes within the first day or two when the intestine is cleared 

 of its contents. After this the decrease is gradual, up to the 

 death point. 



The table shows two exceptions to the steady falling off in 

 weight. Fish no. 4 lost weight steadily up to December 12, 

 when it weighed 76 grams. On December 17 its weight had 



