50 FISH CULTURE. 



appearance, and finally covered the eggs entirely 

 with a thick mantle of black, slimy-looking sub- 

 stance, so that no one egg conld be distinguished 

 from another ; and, indeed, no one could have seen 

 that there were any ova there at all. We found, 

 however, on applying a soft camel' s-hair brush to 

 them, that this matter was very easily detached 

 from the egg, and dispersed in a light gritty sub- 

 stance, leaving the es^s that had been beneath it as 

 bright and clear as when deposited. This was, of 

 course, very satisfactory so far. We attempted to 

 move some of the eggs from one tray to another ; 

 but such a number of them died off, so rapidly and 

 instantaneously, while we were engaged in it, that it 

 was decided that they should not be disturbed until 

 the eyes became visible — showing that the embryo 

 within was alive, when the egg might be moved 

 about with safety. I may say here that ova should 

 not be moved without the greatest care and gentleness 

 until after the embryo has quickened. The best way 

 to carry it is to place it in a circular can, well covered 

 with water, the lid being thickly perforated, to admit 

 air ; and, to avoid any shaking or splashing, the 

 person in charge of it should carry it in his hand. If 

 it is to be sent to a distance, a wide-necked bottle 

 should be filled with water to the bung ; through the 



