584 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [32] 
satisfied in the preparation of packages of eggs for extended journeys 
as to render their inspection or repacking at intervening points entirely 
superfluous. But with many shipments, notably those by rail, it is not 
so easy to provide for guarding temperatures; that is, of course, when 
they are to be unaccompanied by a special messenger. Very rarely 
indeed will the eggs be exposed to a dangerous degree of coldness, and 
practically the opposite extreme is the only one to guard against. The 
clear, cold atmosphere produced by ice seems to be the best adapted to 
the preservation of the vitality of the embryos; hence, a roughly con- 
structed refrigerator would answer every purpose, but would require 
special arrangements as to replenishing the ice at intermediate points 
along the route, and would also demand ample provisions for the dispo- 
sition of the drips, otherwise the water slopping or draining in the car 
would doubtless subject the whole affair to extortionate express rates. 
The ice rooms of vessels, being uniformly cold, are especially suited to 
keep fish eggs in excellent condition; and for this reason foreign ship- 
ments can be made (from port to port) with a far greater degree of cer- 
tainty of success than can those inland even for a short distance; in 
fact, the ordinary carrying cases used to convey eggs from the spawn- 
ing ground to the hatchery, filled with eggs not too far advanced, and 
snugly ensconced in the ice room of a vessel, could safely be intrusted 
with a voyage across either ocean. 
To obtain the best possible results, shipments should be made before 
the development of the embryo has proceeded too far, and pheretere 
applications should be sent in earlier in the season. 
DISPOSITION OF THE FRY. 
The work of distributing the young fish was greatly facilitated and 
the expense materially lessened by the gratuitous assistance of several 
railroad companies, to whom acknowledgments are due, as follows: The 
Flint and Pere Marquette Railroad Company for special car from North- 
ville to Bay City; special car, and round trip passes for messengers, 
from Northville to Ludington; hauling Michigan Central car from 
Detroit to Northville, and from the latter place to Wayne Junction, 
where connection is made with the Michigan Central Railroad; special 
car from Northville to Toledo (terminus of the line), and allowing car 
to go on to Sandusky; and conveying cans of fish in baggage car from 
Northville to Detroit. The Michigan Central Railroad for special car 
and round trip passes for messengers from Wayne Junction to Chicago. 
The Lake Shore and Michigan Southern for hauling Flint and Pere 
Marquette car from Toledo to Sandusky and return. The Chicago and 
Northwestern for transporting cans of fish in baggage cars from Chicago 
to Waukegan, and from Chicago to Milwaukee. 
In addition to favors above noted all empty cans were returned 
gratis, and the first-named company carried all eggs over its line during 
spawn-gathering without charge. 
Following is the table of distribution : 
