THE EXUDATION OF OVA AND MILT. 235 



beds properly seasoned, and all mud or alluvial 

 matter got rid of. The artificial spawning-beds 

 must be reduced as nearly as can be to the con- 

 dition of the naturally formed ones of rivers. 



The next step to be taken is towards procuring 

 proper spawn for depositioii in the ponds. To do 

 so we must watch carefully some natural spawn- 

 ing-pond of the river at the time when the oper- 

 ations of spawning are going on, and we must 

 capture a pair of salmon that have actually com- 

 menced the spawning process. If we do not, we 

 cannot be sure of procuring spawn in a ripe state. 

 We must avoid capturing at random any pair of 

 fish we may see on the spawning-bed, because 

 many consorted males and females are to be seen 

 hovering about the spawning-grounds several days 

 before they begin depositing their spawn. If from 

 such fish ova are expressed by manipulation they 

 will be found in an immature state, their pores not 

 as yet open for the reception or absorption of the 

 milt, and expressing it over them will not produce 

 impregnation. On the contrary, when a pair, of 

 course, male and female, that have commenced 

 spawning are captured, their ova and milt will be 

 found in the mature state required, or at least, a 

 portion of them. A vessel, can, pail, or small 

 tub, must be ready, containing a small portion of 



