828 REPOET 01 COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



sac is absorbed they become perfect salmon in miniature, but with a 

 different coat, and can do well for themselves in the open river, being 

 quick and active in eluding their enemies. In my opinion they cannot, 

 then, be too soon turned out into suitable streams. 



The streams really well suited to the salmon in Victoria are few in 

 number, and are only to be found on the slopes running to tlie soutliern 

 coast from the Cape Otway or the Gipps Land Eanges. The Snowy 

 Eiver and the Gellibrand Eiver are probably the two best for this pur- 

 pose, but the rivers running through the Gipps Land Lakes into the 

 sea may probably suit the Californian salmon, which can bear higher 

 temperature in the waters and seas which it frequents than the species 

 found in more northerly latitudes, and I am not unhopeful that even the 

 Yarra, and the headwaters of the streams south of Mount Macedon, may 

 be found not entirely unfitted for the purpose. 



But it will be asked. How are the young salmon to get from Ercildoune 

 to the Gellibrand, to the Snowy River, or even to the Yarra"? This dif- 

 ficulty has been solved by actual experiment. By the aid of ice to keep 

 down the temperature, and a force-pump to aerate the water and main- 

 tain the needful supply of oxygen (without which no life can exist, 

 whether of vegetable or animal nature), the fish can be carried for 24 

 hours or more with every chance of success. The Yarra, or the creek 

 at Wooliug, near Macedon, is within six or seven hours' traveling. The 

 Gellibrand River is within 18 hours, as I have proved by carrying 

 successfully a few young trout and salmon from Tasmauian ova with a 

 very small percentage of loss. The Gipps Land Rivers are further 

 away, but with a steamer like the Victoria, within 25 hours the feat 

 might be accomplished, and the experiment, which has been successful 

 so far, might be carried to a successful result, or, at any rate, as far as 

 human enterprise might conduce to that end. Would it be too much to 

 to ask that the government steamer Victoria should be allowed to convey 

 a portion of these young salmon to the Snowy River and the Gipps 

 Land Lakes? 



Since writing the above I have heard from Ercildoune, and the report 

 is — During the last 24 hours six ova have died, and seven alevins. The 

 fish are beginning to develop the gregarious instinct, and are collecting 

 in large crowds, and continue to do well. 

 I remain, &c., 



SAMUEL WILSON. 



Oakleigh Hall, 



JEast St. Kilda, Melbourne. 



Editorial of Melbourne Argus of December 1, 1877. 



The suggestion with which Sir Samuel Wilson closed his very interest- 

 ing letter in our yesterday's issue on the subject of the introduction of 

 the salmon into the colony — viz, that the government should give the 



