FISH AND FISHERIES. 157 



Among the fishes which we would most strongly recommend to those who are 

 specially interested in the subject of the acclimatization of useful fishes, we would 

 particularly mention the salmon of the western coast of North America {Oncor- 

 hyncus qidnnat), of which the chief fisheries are in the Sacramento and Columbia 

 Kivers. The experiment of their introduction has been tried in New Zealand by 

 Dr. Hector, on behalf of the Government of that country, we believe with success. 

 It is the only salmon known which we in New" South Wales can j)ossibly, with our 

 climate, have any chance of acclimatizing. We believe it is likely to do well in 

 our Australian rivers, and in quality it does not seem, from the tinned siaecimens 

 so largely imported here from California, to be one whit inferior to the salmon of 

 the north of Europe. One other fish we would suggest to those who are disposed 

 to introduce and acclimatize fishes of very superior quality. The CJianos salmoneus 

 is of the herring family, of large size (2 feet long), extreme beauty and metallic 

 brilliancy, and of the most exquisite flavour. It is found, though rarely, in these 

 latitudes, its true habitat being in warmer seas. This fish is cultivated and kept 

 in tanks in Southern India and Malacca, where it is highly prized, and regarded as 

 a most expensive luxury. It might be tried in some of our noi'thern rivers, the 

 most evident objection to the experiment being the fact that the fish must have 

 occasional access to salt water, and that once out of his river he might never 

 return ; but after all, the same objection might be urged against salmon culture, 

 — R.R.C. 



It should be mentioned that this fish has, like the Gourami, an 

 accessory branchial organ which renders it especially adapted for accli- 

 matization. Dr. Giinther says that it attains the length of 4 feet. 



In conclusion, a few words on artificial ponds and stocking them. 

 The pond which is made by a dam should cover 10 or 12 acres at the 

 least. The sides should be steep, except on one side, the depth over 7 

 or 8 feet, not only to allow for evaporation but also to prevent its be- 

 coming clogged with a growth of weeds from the bottom. There should 

 be waste weirs at each end of the embankment for flood-times. The 

 pond may be divided ofi" by an embankment below the surface so as to 

 portion off a shallow breeding-place. Trout will require a gravelly 

 bottom, and will not thrive without it. 



Carp (Carrassms) are the best fish for a pond. They breed often and 

 abundantly, and their young are hardy and grow rapidly. The male is 

 mature in five years, but the female not until she attains the age of 

 eight years. 



Tench (Tinea tinea) is another useful fish which will agree perfectly 

 with carp. They will not attack or devour each other's spawn. 

 The female is wonderfully prolific, over a ;| of a million ova have been 

 counted in one roe. Tench are said to hybernate in winter ; its ova 

 are of a green colour. 



Perch (Perca fluviatilis) are ravenous fishes w^hich will often devour 

 their own ova and always that of other fishes, and therefore it is not 

 desirable to keep them except in ponds by themselves. It is a poor 

 table fish, but affords good angling. 



Trout (Salmo fario) are also very ravenous, and often destructive to 

 its own spawn. 



Pike {Esox lucius) can never be safely introdcced near other fishes, 

 as it devours all the small and weak ones, and will even attack young 

 ducks. They are excellent for the table, but must be kept by themselves. 



