686 AMERICAN ANGLER'S BOOK. 



currents in the water, for a period of time after separation from the living 

 organism of the mother, even as the cilia of the epithelium cells from a 

 living animal dues continue to vibrate after being detached ; and by this 

 power bring within their range the spermatozoa necessary to the fecunda- 

 tion of the egg, and that it may embrace and absorb the vitalizing aui- 

 malcula. Remembering that Nature in her operations trusts nothing to 

 chance, but proceeds by harmonious means until the end is accomplished, 

 may we not infer that the egg of the beautiful Trout (as well as other fish) 

 is as well provided to insure its vitality and fecundation, as is the sluggish 

 oyster to maintain its existence ? Both being alike immovable, may it not 

 be by some like arrangement of parts, to act on a like element, that the 

 egg can attract the filament within its reach, and is not abandoned to the 

 chances of accidental impregnation by the milt of the male, discharged 

 at random, and liable to be swept by the currents of the stream beyond 

 the reach of a large proportion of the eggs, were they simply passive 

 recipients of the fecundating element ? 



Your friend has observed an air-vessel in the egg, to float the orifice or 

 mouth upwards towards the current, and I, reasoning from the foregoing 

 observations, suppose that mouth provided with appendages observed in the 

 very lowest order of animal life, and present likewise in the very highest, 

 and a vitality in the egg, or its epithelium cells, to cause currents in the 

 surrounding waters, that it may be enabled to perfect its existence by 

 seizing upon, and appropriating, " the threads or filaments projected from 

 the milt of the male, and brought within its reach by the currents described. 

 And as the acorn is provided with all necessary elements to become a great 

 oak, even so may this little germ contain all powers necessary to become a 

 great Trout, to glad the heart of some honest angler, who dare trust in the 

 Providence that careth for the egg of the Trout or for the least of the 

 infusoria, as for the greatest of earth's worthies. W. M. D. 



In connection with this snlgect. it is appropriate to remark that I 

 have lately witnessed one of the beneficial effects of fish-breeding 

 in its bearing on the stocking of Trout ponds on Long Island, and 

 offer some suggestions as to tlie profit that might be made to accrue 

 to the pisciculturer, although he may not be profound iu his know- 

 ledge of the science. 



It is well known that many merchants and professional men of 



