34 PECULIAR CHANGE IN THE EGG. 



downwards from the pectoral fins to the anal point- This 

 must not be done roughly, but with sufficient force to ex- 

 pel the eggs from the ovarium into the pan. The same 

 process is then to be applied to the milter immediately af- 

 terwards, rather nearer the vent, the whole milt not being 

 ready at one time ; but it is not necessary to obtain a large 

 quantity of the vivifying fluid from him, as a very little of 

 it diluted with water is enough for thousands of eggs. I 

 have known the spawner, when perfectly to her time, shoot 

 all her eggs upon merely holding her up ; but this I attri- 

 buted to fear*. On blending the milt with the spawn, a very 

 interesting change takes place in the egg. Before the fluid 

 of the milter is added, all the eggs are of a very brilliant 

 reddish yellow ; the instant it is blended, the outer cuticle 

 of the egg becomes opaque and lustreless. As soon as the 

 milt is expressed in the water with the eggs, the whole 

 must be agitated with the hand for about a minute, and 

 then the operation is completed. You may now place the 

 eggs upon the shingle, taking great care, however, that 

 they do not lay one upon another, and cover them up 

 with fresh shingle, two inches deep, letting the spring water 

 flow freely over them ; and in a hundred days you have 

 the fry. 



As this is a project for producing food, and not merely 

 for furnishing amusement, though they may be combined, 

 I must urge strongly on the breeder the positive necessity 



