38 



would be unsuitable to the tea plant, chiefly on account of the summer 

 frosts. The seeds, however, will be tried in the Society's Gardens ; and some 

 were also taken by the Fellows for planting in other localities. 



Mr. Morton Allport read a paper on the " Late successful experiment 

 for the introduction of salmo ova, and sea trout ova into Tasmania." 



After reading the paper, Mr.M. Allport, in answer to queries on the subject, 

 mentioned that the first batch of smolts left the breeding ponds in Sep- 

 tember, They were seen in the Plenty till November, and therefore pro- 

 bably reached the sea early in December. Authorities were divided as to 

 the probable period of their return. According to some they might be ex- 

 pected in three months, according to othe s, with whom he agreed, in about 

 15 months. In reference to the use of ice, Mr. M. Allport observed that on 

 the occasion of the first unfortunate shipment, by the Beautiful Star, after 

 all the ova in the cases had died, at about the 7Uth day of the voyage, Mr. 

 Kamsbottom on clearing out the contents of the ice house, fouud a little 

 box which had previously been deposited in the ice. On opening it, he 

 found to his astonishment that it contained many living ova, and although 

 these subsequently died when the ice tailed, it was clear that their pro- 

 longed vitality was entirely due to the extreme degree of cold to which they 

 had been subjected. Mr. Ramsbottom on his arrival reported the circum- 

 stance to the Salmon Commissioners, who considered it of such importance 

 that they at once determined before making another attempt to introduce 

 the ova, to send Mr. Ramsbottom home for the purpose of making a series 

 of experiments as to the influence of cold in retarding incubation. 



The result of these experiments was well known, and the consequence has 

 been, that both subsequent shipments have been crowned with success. Of 

 the last he thought there were about 50,000 healthy ova now safely deposited 

 in the breeding ponds. 



Mr. Barnard was glad to see that full justice had been done to Mr. 

 Youl. He (Mr. Barnard) happened to be in London on the occasion of the 

 first shipment, and could bear ample testimony as to the immense amount 

 of trouble taken by Mr. Youl, and to the untiring zeal and energy he at all 

 times displayed in the cause. 



Mr. M. Allport remarked that the Salmon Commissioners were fully aware 

 of the obligations they all were under to Mr, Youl, and that it gave them the 

 greatest pleasure to record and acknowledge the fact. 



On the motion of Mr. Davies, seconded by Mr, F. Abbott, the thanks 

 of the meeting were given to Mr. M. Allport for the paper just read ; and 

 the same having also been accorded to the donors, of presentations, the pro- 

 ceedings terminated. 



