342 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 



This grass is known to American botanists as Glyceria fluitans. It is 

 called Glyceria on account of the sweet taste of the seeds. This genus 

 is known by the common name of manna-grass. This species grows to a 

 height of from 3 to 5 feet and has leaves about 1 foot long. It grows in 

 shallow water and blossoms from June to August. Its spikelets contain 

 from seven to thirteen flowers each. It is frequently found in the United 

 States. 



In addition to its- usefulness in holding the eggs, it is valuable on 

 account of the sweet seeds which drop from it into the water and are 

 eaten by the carp. Persons owning carp ponds can frequently find it 

 growing wild and transplant it to their ponds by securing the aid of 

 some local botanist to identify it. In cases of uncertainty in regard to 

 specimens supposed to be Glyceria fluitans it would be well to send for 

 identification a specimen containing leaves, flower, and fruit. 



Carp planted in Eivanna Eiver. — On June 25, 1885, Colonel M. 

 McDonald took from the carp ponds at Washington seventy-five thou- 

 sand carp from three to ten days old, and deposited them without loss 

 at Charlottesville, Va., in the Eivanna Eiver. The oldest of the fish 

 were from 1J inches to \\ inches in length. Only a few of the fish died 

 in transit. The river selected is a muddy stream containing no other 

 fish, except suckers. The dams below Charlottesville prevent the 

 ascent of bass and other predaceous fish from the James Eiver. 



How to construct muskrat traps. — Mr. Charles H. Sturr, Pres- 

 ton, Hamilton County, Ohio, gives the following simple method of con- 

 structing a practicable and efficient trap for the capture of muskrats: 



Take a barrel containing both heads. Nail a strip of board across each 

 end near the center, and projecting far enough so that strips running 

 lengthwise of the barrel may be. nailed on them and form a platform 

 around the barrel. Bore a number of small holes in each end of the 

 barrel below the strips; the strips will prevent its sinking too low and 

 getting too full of water. Then cut a square hole, 6 by 6 inches, in what 

 will be the top of your barrel. Set it afloat on your pond, and bait 

 with apples, carrots, parsnips, or anything the rats like. They will go 

 in after it and cannot get out. The trap is always set, need be looked 

 after only at your pleasure, and is easily shifted from point to point. 

 [National Journal of Carp Culture, May, 1885.] 



The steamer Spencer F. Baird. — Messrs. D. L. Fernald & Co., 

 inspectors and packers of fish at Portland, Me., are building a steamer 

 to use in the mackerel fishery. The hull will be 15G feet long, 26 feet 

 and 4 inches wide, and 11 feet and 3 inches deep, and about 300 tons 

 register. The cost of the vessel will be $30,000.— March 30, 1885. 



Schooner Spencer F. Baird. — In a letter from Port Townsend, 

 Wash., Mr. Jas. G. Swan, under date of April 15, 1885, writes: 



"Yesterday Capt. Henry Martin arrived here with a new fishing 

 schooner of 8 tons, which he has had built for experimenting with the 

 fisheries of Puget Sound. She is a beautiful model, a perfect little 



