106 FISH HATCHING. 



which one observes at birth as runnino; down 

 the upper and lower parts of the body, 

 resolve themselves, as it were bj magic, into 

 the various fins distinctive of the adult 

 creature, and we have a perfect fish before 

 us. Mature, ever wonderful in her works, 

 surpasses herself in the beauty and minute- 

 ness of finish of these little fish. 



On the morning of January 14th, White 

 (the viper-catcher, whom I place in charge of 

 my boxes at the "Field *'), came ujd to report 

 to me that the fish were hatching. I imme- 

 diately went down, and found two of the 

 salmon out of their shells, and quietly 

 reposing among the ova. Sprightly young 

 creatures were these water-babies, not yet 

 two hours old. The moment they saw 

 the spoon with which I wanted to catch 



