and, by means of an apparatus which we have erected on her 

 decks, transport the eggs from point to point while they are 

 being matured, which will enable us, instead of being de- 

 pendent upon one fishery, to operate all the fisheries within 

 the space of eight or ten miles. By this means we will be 

 able to procure many times as many eggs as we have hitherto 

 been able to obtain, and hatch many times as many fish. 



The apparatus that we refer to consists of a tank with 

 five distributing pipes ; which connect with the bottoms of 

 five conical vessels, hung on frames so arranged that the 

 vessels retain their perpendicular, notwithstanding the rock- 

 ing of the boat ; in these tanks the Shad eggs are placed. 

 The reservoir tank is supplied with water from overboard by 

 an independent steam tank-pump, which can be kept con- 

 stantly going, whether the steamer is in motion or at anchor. 

 The water is passed from the reservoir tank to these hatch- 

 ing vessels, and as it enters at the apex of the cone and runs 

 out at the top, the eggs, being of little specific gravity, are 

 kept in constant motion, and held in suspense by the current 

 of water. 



We can keep in this apparatus several hundreds of thous- 

 and Shad eggs for a day or two, until we reach the central 

 camp, when they are deposited in the hatching boxes, in 

 which they remain until they are matured. 



Our experiments with this apparatus during last season, 

 although then of imperfect construction, demonstrated its 

 value. Although the number of shad hatched last season did 

 not meet our expectations, the experience gained will be of 

 far greater value, and add more to the permanent efiiciency 

 of the Commission than even greater success, achieved 

 through methods employed hitherto. AVe are now able to 

 report that we have the means of carrying on the work in 

 future, in this important branch, on a scale adequate to its 

 importance. 



