HATCHING AND DISTRIBUTION OF CALIFORNIA SALMON. 433 



The following table will show, at a glance, the number of fishes dis- 

 tributed, and the streams in which they were placed : 



Recapitulation. 



Given to Pennsylvania commissioners 50, 000 



Placed in tributaries of Potomac ' 40, 000 



Placed in Long Island streams 30, 000 



Placed in tributaries of Karitan 47, 000 



Placed in tributaries of Delaware 13S, 000 



Still on hand in ponds 50, 000 



355, 000 



In choosing locations for planting fishes the greatest care was exer- 

 cised. Streams were selected as near as possible the spring-heads, and 

 containing no other fishes. Most of these small streams having no 

 names, the name of the nearest named stream is given in the table. 

 The small streams selected were admirably suited for the purpose, the 

 temperature ranging from 48° to 52°, and every stone and particle of 

 aquatic plants being covered with minute insects or crustaceans, the 

 latter, of which I send specimens, (Gammarusf), being very abundant. 



On February 21 a careful examination was made of the Musconet- 

 kong. I found large numbers of salmon beneath projecting roots and 

 rocks, especially at the points where small streams empty into the 

 creek. The salmon were of comparatively enormous size, and might be 

 readily divided, from their size, into three classes; the largest fish taken 

 being over 2£ inches in length. It is very probable that these largest 

 fishes are from spawn thrown out from the first invoice, as mentioned. 



The rapid growth of these fishes is a strong argument in favor of turn- 

 ing them loose in the streams which they are destined to inhabit at an 

 early age, in fact as soon as the yolk-sac is absorbed. 



28 f 



