920 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 

 G. J. Bottemanne to 8. F. Baird. 



Beegen-op-Zoom, October 30, 1878. 



Dear Sir : October 20 I dispatclied a letter to Soutliampton, 

 addressed to Mr. Mather, care of the agents of the Bremen Lloyd 

 steamer Oder, begging to wire me his arrival there. For what rea- 

 son I don't know, but I did not get a message. As you know in 

 country i)laces, newspapers are behind, and so I knew only the 23d the 

 Oder arrived the day before in England. Immediately I wired to Am- 

 sterdam, not being able to go myself, and Mr. N. Hegt, the same gentle- 

 man who went for the eggs last year, started in the afternoon for Bremen, 

 but failed to meet Mr. Mather. He got the eggs and started with them 

 with the first train, and arrived in Amsterdam at noon October 26, 

 where I met him in the Zoo, and unpacked the eggs. They looked very 

 healthy. 



The number in the three boxes we made 85,000, out of which we picked 

 that day and the next morning, 3,000 bad ones, and so we had Sunday 

 morning 82,000 on the trays, splendid looking. Towards evening, when 

 I had to leave for home, I looked them over and found about 70 bad ones 

 more. I did not hear since from Amsterdam, but if anything was wrong 

 they would have written or telegraphed, so I conclude all is going 

 right. 



As things stand now we may consider the transport as a splendid 

 success, and I am very much obliged for your kindness and the trouble 

 taken. Of course in due time you will receive an official acknowledg- 

 ment. 



Mr. Hegt not meeting Mr. Mather, leaves me in the dark about the 

 costs, and not having any address of Mr. Mather in Germany I am obliged 

 to address you about this. Please let me know at your earUest conven- 

 ience and I'll remit by post-of&ce order. 



I remain, dear sir, yours, very truly, 



c. J. bottema:n^ne, 



Swperintetident of Fisheries. 



C. J. Bottemanne to 8. F. Baird. 



Bergen-op-Zoom, 27 Janvier^ 1879. 



Dear Sir : Your favor of November 12, 1878, duly received. I am 

 sorry I had to delay the answer so long, but different reasons prompted 

 me thereto. 



On the arrival of the eggs, which I found to be irregular in size, their 

 temperature was 8°, the water 12^ Celsius ; slowly we rose the temper- 

 ature of the eggs up to the water. 



They came out very kregular, the first about the middle of IS^ovem- 

 ber and the last had not absorbed their sack a week ago. 



In the first time we lost many by smothering, not being able to get 



