482 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



often been indulged, of transporting and domesticating in tbe waters of 

 France the most esteemed fish of foreign countries. He bas succeeded 

 in bringing alive from tbe Spree to tbe reservoirs of Marly live different 

 kinds, each represented by a certain number of individuals. Tbere are 

 tbe Sander, {Ferca Inciojjerca, o/Linne) tbe wels or silure, {Silurus glanis, 

 of Linne,) the A\a,ndt, {Cyprinus jeses, of Blocb,) tbe German lotte, {Gadtis 

 Iota, o/" Blocb,) and tbe pitzker {Cohitis fossiUs, of Linne.) Tbis trial bas 

 only been made on a small scale, but it is none tbe less important on 

 that account, since it proves that, in ordinary circumstances, difference 

 of waters would not be an absolute obstacle to tbe acclimating of for- 

 eign fish. 



Tbe same gentleman was afterward charged by the minister of marine 

 with the duty of inspecting tbe fisheries of our coast. Tbe report, in 

 which were embodied the observations made in the course of tbis mis- 

 sion, bas remained unpublished, and it is to be regretted that the learned 

 ichthyologist was not able to continue and extend these researches, to 

 which bis previous studies so naturally called him. 



It is worthy of notice what wise circumspection MM. de Quatrefages 

 and Milne-Edwards have employed in presenting the advantages 

 which rural economy might derive from tbe method of artificial fecunda- 

 tion. Tbey have incited the proprietors to attempts which appeared 

 likely to be advantageous, but without always promising them certain 

 results. M. Coste has proceeded with less reserve. With unlimited 

 confidence in the future of pisciculture, be bas allowed no occasion to 

 pass without exalting tbe benefits which it will confer. In bis first 

 report, at the close of the jenT 1850, he declared already " that tbere is 

 no branch of industry or husbandry which, with less cbauce of loss, 

 offers an easier certainty of profit."* Later be speaks with enthusiasm 

 of the means tried during a century of providing for the rej)opulating 

 of tbe waters. Most certainly it is with excellent intentions, and, doubt- 

 less, in the hope of sustaining the efforts of experimenters, that M. Coste 

 thus undertakes to guarantee future results ; but is it not rather to be 

 feared that, in magnifying too greatly some partial successes, he may 

 compromise the general success of the undertaking? Meanwhile, though 

 these absolute affirmations seem to justify, to some extent, some criti- 

 cisms of which the learned professor bas been the object, tbey cannot 

 diminish his share in the improvements recently made in tbe method of 

 Jacobi. 



M. Coste first put in practice the means proposed by the Baron de 

 Eiviere for transporting the "mounting" or the young eels, and raising 

 them in confined spaces.* After having brought this mounting from 

 the mouth of the Orne to the College of France, in flat i^auiers, over- 

 laid with aquatic ijlants, he gave them for nourishment a bash com- 

 posed of the flesh of animals, which do not serve for food or that of 



* Practical Instructions upon Pisciculture, p. 34. 



