HYBRIDISATION. 87 



species, now distinct^ have arisen, and whether in truth they 

 are distinct or no. 



Now, it is of course just as easy to commingle, in the manner 

 lieretofore described, the milt and roe of two distinct varieties, 

 as of the same species ; and the consequences of such an admix- 

 ture would excite the attention of the whole scientific world. 



Anywhere in the northern and north-eastern part of the 

 State of New York, anywhere in the northern parts of New 

 Hampshire, Vermont, or Maine, it would be the easiest thing 

 in the world to procure the common Lake Trout {Salmo Con- 

 finis), if not alive, at least within a few hours after his capture, 

 and the common Brook Trout, dead or alive, in any desirable 

 quantities. 



There is little if any difference in the spawning period of 

 these two Salmonidce, so that it would require very little pains 

 or attention to procure the males and females under the circum- 

 stances proper for the making of such an experiment, which 

 might be performed precisely as I have described it above ; 

 trying, in different instances, the males and females of the two 

 species alternately. 



There are thousands and tens of thousands of little tumbling 

 transparent rills, throughout that country — scarcely a farm 

 without a dozen such — which have numerous natural basins in 

 their courses, each of which, with the aid of a few hours' work 

 employed in raising a timber dam, and applying a grate at the 

 entrance and egress of the stream, would constitute as perfect a 

 store-pond for the making of such experiments as could be 

 erected by the wealth of Croesus ; with the advantage, too, of 

 having the fish requisite for the tests existing, in a state of 



