BY P. S. SEAGER. 25 



the disadvantage of determining the nature of the species 

 from single individuals sent to them at odd times. They 

 consequently, from such disconnected points, could have no 

 means of detei-mining the curve of variability, and I am not 

 surprised therefore that, respectively, at different times, they 

 have pronounced certain individuals to be *S^. salar, S. truttay 

 8. camhricus, and a hybrid between S. salar and S. trutta. Old 

 specimens cannot determine the curve of variability, nor can 

 they determine whether the four fish, so differently named, 

 were not after all the progeny of the same parents." 



Mr. Johnston's observations are also supported by the Chief 

 Inspector of Fisheries of England, Mr. A. D. Berrington, 

 who in his report to the Board of Trade, dated 31st March, 

 1887, thus writes : — 



" The artificial propagation and a,cclimatisation of fish is one 

 of the hobbies of the day ; and the results which it is pro- 

 ducing are of great value. It has added much to our know- 

 ledge of the life history of fish, and consequently of the lines 

 on which their increase may be promoted. It has served to 

 show us more clearly how small are the differences which 

 separate the varieties of our salmonidso, and has furnished 

 proofs that in many instances these varieties are not of a 

 permanent character, but depend upon food and other cir- 

 cumstances of position. These are facts which must be borne 

 in mind if we would hope to avoid disappointment when intro- 

 ducing fresh strains into our rivers. According to all analogy 

 it must be advantageous to cross the existing breed, and in 

 so doing to bring in the best form of the race we desire to 

 improve and multiply ; but it must not be expected that the 

 special characteristics of the fish we turn out will necessarily 

 be perpetuated in the offspring, as under changed conditions 

 these peculiarities are apt to disajipear." 



I trust, therefore, that with these opinions strengthened by 

 the views of Sir Thomas Brady, we wall in the future hear of 

 fewer doubts upon the subject and accept the one broad fact 

 which is beyond dispute, that a fish has been acclimatised in 

 Tasmania which is of considerable commercial value, that it 

 is the means of attracting visitors to our shores, and that with 

 proper care and attention, it will in the future afford 

 profitable employment to our fishermen, and add wealth to 

 our Island home. 



