REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. XXXIX 



Thirty of the consignment were subsequently transferred to the Wythe- 

 ville Station. On their arrival at the fish j)onds the fish were appar- 

 ently in excellent condition, but some died shortly afterwards and 

 others in quick succession, and but 13 strong, healthy specimens were 

 left. A careful investigation showed that the fish had been injured by 

 the jolting of the cars while in transit from ITeosho to Washington, 

 oroken points of fins being found in their bodies, showing that during 

 their close contact and long confinement tliey had wounded one another. 

 These wounds produced sores which soon became more and more inflamed 

 and caused death in a short time. Two fish, weighing 21 pounds each, 

 were subsequently pro(;ured from Mr. Samuel ]<]instein, of the health 

 office, District of Columbia. These 15 fish commenced to spawn about 

 May 18, but the muddiness of the water, caused by constant rains, pre- 

 vented regular and daily observations. On May 30 the young were 

 seen for the first time, and their innate voracity was shown by their 

 attacks on tadpoles and other animal life that came within their reach. 

 At first food was furnished in the shape of frog and toad spawn, later 

 in that of chopped and live fish, 20 to 30 pounds being supplied them 

 daily. Their appetite was unappeasable, apparently; the more they 

 were fed the hungrier they seemed to become. As they grew older 

 their voracity knew no bounds, and in the absence of other food they 

 hesitated not to devour each other. This trait undoubtedly will cause 

 a reduction in the number that will be available for distribution in the 

 fall. 



Spotted catfish. — There were also received from the Neosho Station 

 30 specimens of the spotted catfish for a brood stock. These were 

 held during the winter in one of the small ponds and in March, 1892, 

 transferred to the south pond, which had an abundant and favorable 

 vegetation and a depth of 2 to 5 feet. They immediately disap- 

 peared and no glimpse was had of them, even at the feeding hour (they 

 apparently preferred feeding at night), nor was there any knowledge 

 of the existence of their eggs till May 29, when their young were noticed 

 for the first time. From that date they were seen in considerable 

 numbers. They were fed daily and a good result may be expected. 



Wythevillk Station, Virginia (George A. Seagle, Superintendent). 



The work of this station was confined to the propagation and rear- 

 ing of the rainbow trout, black-spotted trout, carp, black bass, rock 

 bass and goldfish. 



Bainhoic trout. — The station has about 2,500 breeding rainbow trout, 

 of which probably 35 to 40 per cent do not spawn each year. Tlie 

 spawning season began November 10 and ended March 20, during 

 which time 491,000 eggs were collected. Of these, 154,-500 were trans- 

 ferred to other hatcheries, national. State, private, and foreign, and 

 the remainder, 336,500, held at the station for incubation, producing 

 147,500 fry. The loss during incubation, 189,000, was greater than 

 usual, due mainly to a period of muddy water. There was also a larger 



