396 BULLETIN OF THE BUREAU OF FISHERIES. 
WAKIN. 
In the case of the wakin, twice as many as of the preceding variety are 
cultivated in a pond. When put into a miniature pond they are most lively, 
but do not live long. 
ARTIFICIAL COLORATION. 
Various designs are artificially produced on the back of goldfish at Kori- 
yama. Dilute hydrochloric acid is applied to the part where certain figures 
are desired to be produced. But the scales along the margin of the intended 
figures (such as badges or flowery patterns) being but partially colored, the 
results are not very satisfactory. This artificial coloration is best attempted 
in August or September, in the early morning. When the fish are purely red, 
the discoloration makes them very unsightly; besides, the color of the head can 
not be changed. For the purpose of artificial coloring, the water of the pond 
in which the fish are kept should in the first place be completely renewed and 
then they should be abundantly supplied with food. When they grow plump 
and fleshy the figures are put on. This practice has been known from remote 
times. 
INTEREST AND VALUE OF GOLDFISH TO THE JAPANESE. 
On account of its beautiful form, its fine bright color, and graceful attractive 
motion when swimming, the goldfish has been for hundreds of years a great 
favorite with the people of Japan, and now different varieties are cultivated 
almost all over the Empire. In Hokkaido it is very difficult for the fish to sur- 
vive the winter, owing to the intensely cold climate, and they are hardly ever 
hatched and cultivated there. Yet the favor with which they are regarded is 
extremely great and they are yearly brought there from Tokyo without number 
in the beginning of summer. 
Such is the interest with which goldfish are regarded in Japan, and they 
are, moreover, admired by every class of the Japanese people. Some are kept 
in an artificial lake in a garden, some in tanks of various forms, others suspended 
in a glass globe from a ceiling, still others put into the pond of a miniature gar- 
den, and so forth. The kind and quality of the fish naturally vary with the 
class of people by whom they are kept. Those kept by persons of wealth and 
position are superior breeds specially selected, while people of limited means, 
holding in regard healthy and strong ones, prefer the wakin and the ryukin to 
others. Those enjoyed by children are mostly what are called “dregs” and often 
sold on féte days, which are many in Tokyo and other towns. 
Although the goldfish is so extensively cultivated in Japan, as has been 
stated above, yet its value from a commercial standpoint can not be said to be 
