NATURALIZATION OF FISHES. 179 



have remarked on a preceding page, have made consider- 

 able progress in turning them to profit. 



The fact that certain fishes are not found in certain 

 waters is no indication that such waters are not suitable to 

 them. I know of several instances on fine brisk streams 

 where trout were unknown above high falls, until a few 

 were passed over, and thus introduced above. Here they 

 are prolific, and grow as large as their progenitors in the 

 waters below. Lakelets and new streams have also been 

 successfully stocked with these fish. I also know of natural 

 and artificial ponds, as well as mill-ponds and rivers, where 

 the two species of black bass have been introduced, and 

 where they have multiplied and grow to the size they do in 

 the waters they were taken from. 



Waters have no doubt been accidentally, or it may be 

 said, providentially, stocked with percoids, cyprinoids, and 

 pike, by the ova of these fish (which are surrounded by a 

 glutinous substance) adhering to the legs of wading birds, 

 which have transported them in their flight from one river 

 or lake to another. Some even suppose that the eggs of 

 fish have been swallowed by birds in one stream, and pass- 

 ing undigested through them, have been deposited in other 

 water. The latter theory is scarcely tenable ; with the ova of 

 trout or salmon either would be impossible. Referring to 

 the stocking and replenishing of certain waters of the Mis- 

 sissippi Valley with percoids, I hope I shall be excused for 

 again quoting from the " American Anglers' Book :" 



" I have alluded on another page, to the replenishing 

 of the lakelets, found so abundantly scattered along the 



