284 PaOCEKDINGS OF SECTION D. 



These ranged from 3 inclies to 5 inches in length. They were conveyed 

 in 20 trout cans, of 8 gallons capacity, each about half full, and 

 2 box tanks, on rockers, each containing about 8 gallons of water. 

 Through the kindness and personal interest of the master of the 

 Makura, Captain Gibb, it was possible to have the whole consignment 

 placed upon the captain's balcony — ^the best position on the ship, 

 notwithstanding some difficulties that were experienced during the 

 voyage to Fiji. 



All the fishes were captured under my personal direction, in the 

 Nepean River, immediately below the weir, at Penrith. As captured, 

 they were placed in a large basket, through which was a regular and 

 moderately strong flow of water. I mention these details, because 

 it is the " 3m-^.ll " things in live fish handling and transport which are 

 of the greatest importance, and I am of opinion that the great care 

 taken of the fish both at the time of capture and while they were 

 awaiting transport was one oi; the most important factors in leading 

 the experiment to a successful issue. I have found that the wildest 

 of riyer fishes — even trout — will settle down easily to confinement in a 

 covered basket-ware receptacle. In this connexion I may mention 

 that I have had as majiy as 150 Australian bass from 3 to 8 inches long 

 in a basket 40 inches long. 26 inches broad, and 20 inches high, immersed 

 to a depth of about 12 inches in the water, for several days, in a moderate 

 current, and the fishes were, apparently, as fresh as when they were 

 put in. Probably twi*^-e that number could have been kept in the basket 

 under the circumstances. 



During the voyage to Fiji — which was made via Auckland — the 

 canvas jackets of the cans were kept constantly wetted with 

 fresh water (when not splashed by the spray ; which not 

 seldom happened, notwithstanding the favorable position on the 

 steamer) so as to keep the temperature of the water down. 

 Occasionally, also, to assist in the aeration of the water, the 

 assistant who accompanied the consignment drew off part of the 

 water and squirted it back again with a large brass syringe. 

 There was, of course, a good deal of surf-ace splashing of the Avater at 

 times during transit, and that had the effect of aerating the water 

 very considerably. At my wish, no food was given during the voyage, 

 as I wished to reduce the danger of the fouling of the v.^ater to a 

 minimum. 



Upon arrival at Fiji 109 out of the 135 sent were alive, which, 

 under the circumstances, may be considered as exceedingly satisfactory. 

 Of these, 58 were taken to the. Sigatoka River (by (rovernment steamer 

 and native bearers), where, at Nadarivatu, at an elevation of 

 2,400 feet, 56 fishes were placed alive. The exact location where 

 the fishes were put is a kind of backwater, into and out of which the 

 waters strains through a growth of " reeds." Mr. Hutson had 

 originally mentioned this spot to me, and it was agreed that it seemed a 



