MILNER ON THE ARTIFICIAL CULTURE OF THE SHAD. 421 



and extended many valuable favors througli their foreman, Captain 

 Evans, who was always ready to attbrd assistance. 



On the night of the 17th twenty ripe spawners were taken and about 

 400,000 eggs impregnated and placed in the hatching-boxes. This large 

 quantity afforded us anticipations of a more than ordinary success on the 

 Potomac River, that were not destined to be fulfilled. 



On the ISth about five hundred shad were takeu at the fishery, and 

 only two ripe spawners found among them, affording about 50,000 eggs. 

 The temperature of the river on this day was 63° in the morning and 

 67° in the afternoon. 



On the 19th about six hundred shad were hauled in the seines, among 

 which ten ripe fish were found and about 250,000 ova impregnated. 

 The temperature at 6 a. m. was 62° ; at 6 p. m. it was 65°. 



On the 20th, one hundred and twenty shad were taken, seven ripe fish 

 found, and 120,000 ova obtained. 



The 21st was cold and rainy. In the night-hauls six hundred shad 

 were captured, seven ripe fish handled, and 150,000 spawn taken. 



The night-catch of the 22d was one hundred and thirty shad, four 

 ripe fish and 100,000 spawn. 



The 23d saw the first young shad out of the egg, about one hundred 

 and forty hours after the first eggs were impregnated, the water having 

 varied in temperature between 02° and 67°, the time being just about 

 double that occupied when the temperature ranges from 75° to 80°, in 

 both instances the water remaining quiet. Ou this day four spawners 

 were found and about 90,000 eggs obtained. 



Arrangements were made with fishermen on the river, at Mr. Living- 

 ston Stone's request, for obtaining one thousand young cat-fish and five 

 hundred yellow perch to be forwarded to the California aquarium car. 

 The fisherman collected the perch, Ferca flavescens, in a live box, and a 

 number of catfish, Ammrus alhidus, were also obtained. 



On the 24:th 50,000 eggs were put into the boxes. 



On the 25th 400 shad were taken, three ripe fish, and about 60,000 

 eggs takeu. Twelve boxes of the young fry were turned loose in the 

 river, about 200,000 shad. 



On the 26th, from a catch of about 200 shad, four ripe ones were ob- 

 tained and about 75,000 eggs impregnated. There were also on this 

 day about 220,000 young fish turned loose in the river. 



On the 27th a heavy storiu from the nortli broke the connecting links 

 of the boom that had been arranged to protect the boxes, and sweeping 

 it down upon some of them, released about 275,000 young shad into the 

 river, with the eggs in the same boxes remaining unhatcbed, of which 

 there was a small percentage just ready to hatch, and many of them, no 

 doubt, emerged from the egg in good condition on the bottom of the 

 river. 



Out of 250 fish four ripe fish were takeu and 80,000 spawn put into 

 the boxes. 



