How to obtain it. 189 



Then, again, care has to be taken as to the moss that is 

 used. It must be perfectly fresh and in growing condition. It 

 has been noticed that when the moss goes bad or ferments the 

 eggs in that tray are all dead. When it retains its vitality, and in 

 reality grows a little, the eggs travel well, other things of course 

 being equal. The ice in the uppermost tray melts slowly, and 

 the water percolates through the moss in the trays beneath. But 

 for the ventilation given, the delicate embryos would be in great 

 danger of drowning. It was found for some time that the eggs in 

 the bottom tray suffered the most, and were often in bad condition. 

 On this account an air space was left at the bottom, and this also 

 serves as a temporary receptacle for the water caused by the 

 melting of the ice above. This water does not remain here, 

 however, but escapes through a hole in the box bottom, and the 

 box itself stands on a couple of wooden slats, one on each side, 

 which act as feet and allow the access of air, and the same time 

 the escape of the water. 



The eggs may be packed between layers of woven fabric or 

 of mosquito netting, but this is in itself a source of danger, as 

 decay sets in, and affects the vitality of the embryos. It may not 

 prevent the eggs hatching, and in some cases may not do them 

 harm, but they remain in a more healthy state during long 

 voyages, when packed between layers of felted moss only. The 

 unpacking is a little more difficult, but the eggs turn out better, 

 and after all, with a little practice in unpacking, there is no 

 difficulty. The two layers of felted moss are kept apart by the 

 eggs which lie between them, and are therefore easily separated. 

 After lifting the top layer of moss a piece of linen fabric may be 

 laid over the eggs. The tray may then be inverted, and the eggs 

 will mostly remain on the cloth when the tray with its contents is 

 righted again. Any remaining eggs may be feathered, or otherwise 

 picked off. Should a layer of felt fall to pieces during unpacking, 

 as may easily happen, it is readily separated from the ova when all 

 are placed in a bowl of water, as the specific gravity varies 

 considerably. The eggs will go to the bottom of the bowl, whilst 

 the particles of moss are held for a time in suspension in the 

 water, and may be poured off with it, and then a little more 

 water added and poured off again, the process being repeated 



