BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 65 



Vol. V, No. 5. Washington, IK C. January 19, 1885. 



19.-NOTKS UPON FISH AND THE FISHERIES. 



Compiled by CM AS. W. SITIIL.EY. 



[Mainly derived from the official correspondence.] 



Eesuscitating fish. — An experiment by Mr. C. W. Scudder, of the 

 United States Fish Commission, in using brandy to recover carp nearly 

 on the point of expiration, which was described in Bulletin Fish Com-' 

 mission, 1884, page 179, having come to the notice of Mr. W. Oldham 

 Chambers, secretary of the National Fish Culture Association, of Lon- 

 don, the latter conducted a similar experiment in the presence of sev- 

 eral gentlemen at South Kensington, in September, 1884, and has re- 

 corded the verification of Mr. Scud der's # work as follows : 



"Taking two Prussian carp from the tanks of the aquarium, he de- 

 posited them in separate dry cans, adorning one with blue ribbon to 

 denote its enforced temperance principles and to distinguish it from the 

 other, which was selected for the administration of spirituous liquors. 

 After a lapse of four hours the fish were placed in water, evident signs 

 of expiration being apparent in both cases. A small quantity of brandy 

 and water was then given to the carp selected for the imbibition of in- 

 toxicating liquors through the medium of a feather, and no sooner was 

 the fish replaced in water than it assumed its normal condition and 

 seemed to be restored to vigor and strength. The carp enlisted under 

 the banner of the ' blue-ribbon league ' to all appearances died half 

 an hour after its more fortunate associate, and was taken out of the 

 water and thrown on the ground. About four hours later, however, 

 the fish was picked up by Mr. Chambers, who observed it by appear- 

 ance to be in rigor mortis. He then at once operated on the seemingly 

 inanimate fish by opening its mouth and pouring a dose of brandy and 

 water down its throat, and again inserting it in the water, when, to his 

 utter astonishment, he noticed slight signs of animation. For five min- 

 utes the unfortunate object of the experiment floated helplessly on its 

 side, when presently, to the still greater astonishment of the secretary 

 and those who watched the experiment,*it gradually asserted itself in 

 the water, and with considerable effort made use of its fins — feebly at 

 first, but afterwards energetically. Both the resuscitated fishes, which 

 show no signs of their late prostration, now swim about with their con- 

 freres in the tanks as usual. 



" The instantaneous reanimation produced to the carp in the first in- 

 stance was indeed remarkable ; but what cau be said of the latter, 

 which recovered after remaining out of water for eight hours'? Surely 

 Bull. U. S. F. C, 85 5 



