XXXVI REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
to shift for themselves, in this respect resembling the black bass. On 
this account the increase of this fish is assured even under unfavorable 
circumstances. 
The gourami thrives best in warm waters; indeed, its introduction 
into ponds or rivers the surface of which is likely to be frozen over is 
not considered desirable. A moderate degree of cold, however, can be 
resisted if the bottom of the receptacle be muddy so that the fish can 
bury themselves in the same manner as the carp. 
The gourami is a native of Cochin China, and has been transferred, 
among other localities, to portions of the Kast Indian regions, to the 
Mauritius, and to Guiana. They can be kept in very limited inclos- 
ures, and indeed are very often reared in tubs, where they are fed with 
vegetable food of any description. 
The Société @ Acclimatation of Paris has succeeded in bringing in a 
few of these fish into France; but, for some reason or other, they do 
not appear to thrive, and it is not certain that the experiment will sue- 
ceed in any part of the United States. The value of the fish, however, 
is so great as to warrant a special effort on the part of the Commission. 
On this account application was made to the Société @ Acclimatation for 
any suggestions as to the best mode of obtaining a supply and trans- 
mitting them to the United States; and the secretary, M. Raveret-Wat- 
tel, very kindly undertook to write to the agent of the society at Sai- 
gon, the capital of Cochin China, and have a small number sent by 
way of Hong-Kong to San Francisco. 
On the application of Mr. B. B. Redding, the able Fish Commissioner 
of California, Mr. Stubbs, the agent of the O. and O. 8S. 8. Company, 
plying between San Francisco and China, agreed to instruct Mr. Charles 
H. Hazwell, jr., the agent of the company at Hong-Kong, to receive and 
forward any fish that might be sent to him forthe purpose. It is hoped, 
therefore, that at the proper time some of these fish may be safely 
landed in San Francisco, where they will be taken in charge by Mr. 
Redding and probably introduced into a lake of warm water, near San 
Gabriel, Los Angeles County, abounding in vegetation and possessing 
all the other characteristics necessary for a successful experiment. 
E.—ABSTRACT OF CONTENTS OF THE APPENDIX. 
11.—ANALYSIS. 
The appendix to the present volume will be found to include a num- 
ber of formal reports of the Commission in reference to different branches 
of operations too detailed in their character to be presented in the pres- 
ent general statement of work attempted and accomplished. It also 
contains translations, for the most part, of treatises published abroad 
in regard to the general fisheries and to fish and oyster culture, having 
direct relationship to the work in the United States, and furnishing 
important hints for action on our part. 
