102 REPORT ON PRESERVATION OF CERATODUS. 



On returning from a visit to New Zealand I recommenced 

 the work, and on 28th May hberated eighteen in the Enoggera 

 Reservoir. Twenty-one were taken to Warwick on 31st July 

 and put in the Condamine. On 29th August sixteen were 

 liberated in the waters of the Upper Coomera. Two were the 

 same day placed in a pond at the Botanical Gardens. 



It is difficult to distinguish the' sexes of the Ceratodus ; so 

 far as I could judge, about two-thirds, or more, were females. 

 The fish were at first transported in tanks of water, but latterly 

 this method was abandoned and they were carried in boxes 

 divided into compartments, each fish being enveloped in river 

 weed, which was kept moist by occasionally sprinkling with 

 water. No fish died in transit when treated in this manner, 

 besides which advantage space and weight were greatly econom- 

 ised. Only large fish were procurable ; they ranged between 

 thirty-three and forty-five inches in length, and were from nine 

 to fourteen pounds in weight. 



Nearly six months was consumed in executing the work, 

 the distance travelled 2,848 miles, and the total cost £55 6s. lOd. 



I have to thank my fellow-members of the Society for 

 placing the interesting work in my hands. I fully recognised 

 its importance, and did my best to bring it to a successful issue. 

 I have to tender my grateful acknowledgments to the various 

 officers of the Eailway Department for the courtesy and assist- 

 ance at all times extended to me ; also to Mr. John Atherton, of 

 Miva Station, and Mr. W. C. Wilson, of Bimbirrim, and their 

 families, for their hospitality and help. 



I am, Gentlemen, 



Yours faithfully, 

 Oxley, 7th Sept., 1896. D. O'CONNOR. 



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