884 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [6] 



It was then determiued to transfer the eggs iu salt water hi liermet- 

 ically-sealed vessels ; the temperature during transportation being car- 

 ried down as nearly as i)ossible to the freezing poiut, as it was expected 

 that this low temperature would either suspend the development or slow 

 down the rate to such an extent that the eggs would come through from 

 New York to the station without asphyxiating. Several lots of eggs 

 were received during the latter part of February, forwarded as indicated 

 above, and a proportion of them in each case were found to be alive 

 and developing. They were transferred to the hatching apparatus as 

 received; but the results of the exj^eriments were not encouraging. 

 They were interesting, however, in the fact that in one case, especially, 

 a small proportion of the eggs received were iu good condition and con- 

 tinued to develop until the eleventh day, when the fish were plainly vis- 

 ible in the egg. We were not successful in hatching any, but it is a 

 matter of interest to lecord that eggs taten, transported, and subjected 

 to conditions during hatching, as above indicated, were carried along to 

 a considerable distance toward hatching. The embryology of the egg 

 was carefully studied by Mr. Byder, and the results of his experiments, 

 I i)resume, have been reported. 



Salmonid^. — To test the capabilities of the station for handling the 

 eggs of salmonidae, and the adaptability of the Potomac water for the 

 incubation of these fall and winter ^spawning species, I was directed by 

 the Commissioner of Fisheries to subject to incubation lots of eggs of all 

 the species bred by the United States Fish Commission. Accordingly, 

 upon requisition made and instructions received, the following lots were 

 forwarded to the station : 



Memorandum of eggs received at Central Station, icinter season of 1882-'83. 



TrAi#e/i.s/i.— November 28, 1882, from Northville 1, 000, 000 



BrooTi Trowt— November 28, 1882, from North ville 50, 000 



Broolc T/oMf.— February C, 1883, from North ville 72, 000 



Lalce Tro«t— November 28, 1882, from l^orth ville 50, 000 



Rangeley Trowt.— December 15, 1882, from Maine 20, 000 



California TroMf.— February 3, 1883, from Shasta County, 



California 52, 000 



California Trout. — February 5, 1883, from Shasta County, 



California 22, 000 



Schoodic Salmon. — February 1, 1883, from Maine . 5, 000 



Penobscot /Salmon.— February 1, 1883, from Maine 220, 000 



Penobscot Salmon.— FdbvwAvy 3, 1883, from Maine 120, 000 



Penobscot Salmon. — February 8, 1883, from Maine 80, 000 



With the exception of the whitefish, from which very fair results 

 were obtained, it would appear that the conditions presented at this 

 station are unfavorable for breeding the Salmonid£e; and we are com- 

 pelled to abandon the expectation first entertained of using the station 

 for work with these species, unless it be possible to secure well-water 



