TROUT BREEDING. 87 



their eggs; but fi-here is a large supply of tanks or troughs, 

 for the purpose of experimenting with such fish as may be 

 kept in the place. The waters of the Rhine being at a 

 higher level than the springs, can be employed in the 

 appareils and basins. The waters of the Augraben stream 

 which cross the ground, are of little use. Nearly dry in 

 summer, rapid and muddy after rain, they have only hith- 

 erto served to supply some small exterior basins. Of 

 course, different qualities of water are quite necessary for 

 the success of experiments in acclimatization carried on so 

 zealously at this establishment. Some fish delight in a 

 clear running stream, while others prefer to pass their life 

 in sluggish and fat waters. The engineering of the differ- 

 ent water-supplies, all of them at different levels, has been 

 effectually accomplished by M. Coomes, the engineer of this 

 department of the Rhine, who, in conjunction with Pro- 

 fessor Coste, planned the buildings at Huningue ; indeed 

 the machinery of all kinds is as nearly as possible, perfect. 

 " The course of business at Huningue is as follows : The 

 eggs are brought chiefly from Switzerland and Germany, 

 and embrace those of the various kinds of trout, the Danube 

 and Rhine salmon, and the tender ombre chevalier.* Peo- 

 ple are appointed to capture gravid fish of these various 

 kinds, and having done so, to communicate with the 

 authorities at Huningue, who at once send an expert to 

 deprive the fishes of their spawn and bring it to the breed- 

 ing or store boxes, when it is carefully tended and daily 



*An exceedingly fine species of large lake charr, one of the 

 genus salmo. 



