546 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



fry in one boat. After all the internal arrangements are completed the 

 fry are poured into the jars and baskets, and when all are full, the boat 

 proceeds on her voyage. Kan-chow-fu, as I have remarked, is the chief 

 market for spawn, but much of it finds its way into the Canton, Fo-kien, 

 and (Jhekiang provinces, when it has to be carried across the boundary 

 range of mountains, about a day's journey, before gaining the water- 

 ways of the neighboring provinces. 



The water is changed day and night, and after the muddy Yangtse 

 and Po-yang Lake have been left the young fish require feeding, 

 chopped yolk of hard-boiled egg being the food administered to them, 

 with a certain amount of bread paste. A cargo of fry is estimated to be 

 worth from 400 to 500 taels (£133 to £167), but on arrival at its desti- 

 nation realizes fnlly 1,000 taels or £300, the fish being then sold at so 

 much apiece instead of by the jar. 



Eeliable information as to the mortality en route could not be ascer- 

 tained, but all agreed that it was considerable, though chiefly dependent 

 on the " good luck" accompanying the boat. The distance by water to 

 Kan-chow is 1,055 li or 350 miles, and occupies from ten to fifteen days, 

 according to the weather. The navigation is against the stream all the 

 way after entering the Po-yang Lake. During the journey the fish are 

 separated into different jars; the most important thing to be observed 

 is to keep the wild fish (yay yu) from the domestic fish (chia yu); the 

 former, said our informant, being of a restless nature, will not live 

 peaceably in confinement, but commences to prey on the others. 



The Kan yii or pike appeared to be the wildest fish, and most to be 

 dreaded. The fry caught here and conveyed inland is chiefly that of 

 the Pang tou yii, Kuei yu (perch), Lien yii (bream), and Huen yii, draw- 

 ings of which are given. 



The Pang tou yii measured 24 inches long, 13 inches girth, and 

 weighed 7 pounds, but it often attains a weight of 20 pounds to 24 

 pounds, and 4 feet in length. Its flesh is rather coarse and flavorless, 

 which is the chief complaint of most Yangtse fish. It is sold here at 

 this season of the year (May) for 40 cash, say l$d. per catty, equal 

 to a pound and a third. This is, of course, river-caught fish. Kuei yii 

 (perch), or "Mandarin fish," as our "boys" often call it, from the 

 fact of its being the best fish to be found in the market almost at all 

 times of the year, grows to a large size, is of excellent flavor, and very 

 firm if full-sized. The specimen in the illustration is only average size, 

 and measured 23 inches in length, 18 inches round the body, and 

 weighed between 7 pounds and 8 pounds. The price ranges from 40 to 

 60 cash, equal 2d. to M. per catty (Impounds), according to season 

 and time of day; but even at the latter price, "Mandarin " fish would 

 not be a very expensive luxury, yet the lower classes seldom indulge in 

 it. After the Kuei yii, the Lien yii ranks next, being a rich and firm 

 fish. It often grows 3 feet long and 20 pounds in weight, but the dimen- 

 sions of the one in the illustration were 22 inches long, 13 inches girth, 



