556 EEPOKT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



method of impregnating ova in Europe and the more properly dry 

 method of America are the most essential improvements, as they have 

 increased the results from a given number of ova in a large ratio. 



It will be observed that advances have been made both in apparatus 

 and in methods by the extension of the application of the art to new 

 species of fishes. Seth Green's shad-box was the resnlt of the experi- 

 ment'in hatching shad. The tray-methods of Holton and of Clark were 

 the result of attempts in hatching the lake white-fish, a species that at 

 first gave discouraging results to the eftbrts of those who attempted it. 

 An improved knowledge and system for transporting live fishes resulted 

 from the distribution of shad ; a species that was found to be exceed- 

 ingly delicate, and requiring great care in transportation. 



The American system of dry impregnation was discovered in the sal- 

 mon-breeding establishment of C. G. Atkins. Different conditions and 

 necessities arise in the experiments with each species, and new ideas 

 more or less applicable to other species are developed. 



The application of fish-culture to species having adhesive eggs has 

 scarcely begun in this country ; a few experiments with the glass- 

 eyed pike, the perch, and with a species of the smelt are all that 

 have been recorded. Experiments with one of the sucker-family, 

 Calastomidw, and with a cyprinoid, are referred to without stating the 

 character of the eggs, which were probably adhesive. The eggs of the 

 ale wife have proved adhesive for a considerable time during and after 

 impregnation, but are not to be included in permanently adhesive eggs- 



In Europe there has been a great deal done with this group of 

 fishes ; the carp, of several species and varieties, engaging a great deal 

 of attention. 



The value of this fish as an accession to the number of food-fishes of 

 the United States is a matter of importance. The estimates of their 

 qualities as table-fishes are very varying and contradictory. 



Those who are familiar with the food-fishes of the fresh waters through- 

 outEurope assert that this arises from the difference in quality of different 

 varieties and species ', and that while some of them are excellent and 

 palatable, others are very inferior. Among those of superior quality are 

 the Cyprinus carjno, var. nudm and var. rex-cyprinorum, the spiegel-carp. 

 The first variety is destitute of scales, having a velvety skin that en- 

 hances the table-qualities of the fish. The latter has a row of scales 

 near the dorsal line, and another near the ventral margin. The former 

 is found chiefly in the Lower Danube, and is spoken of as a species very 

 superior in flavor. Among the more inferior ones are Cyprinus carassius, 

 the crucian carp, and the hybrids with this and other species. 



It is claimed by Francis Francis, editor of The Field, London, England , 

 land, that the carp attains much better qualties in flavor, as a game fish, 

 in large rivers than it does in ponds. * 



* Fish-Culture a practical guide to the modern system of rearing and breeding fish 

 By Francis Francis ; Pise. Div. Accl. Soc. of Great Britain. London, 1865. 



