THE TRANSPORTATION OF FISH. 73 



as possible, and if it is made colder or warmer, the 

 change should be very gradual. Persons who have 

 not had experience in transporting fish should al- 

 ways have a thermometer, so that the temperature 

 can be tested. A safe plan is to keep the water a 

 few degrees colder than that in which the fish have 

 been living. In warm weather this can be done by 

 using ice, which, if placed directly in the cans, 

 should be broken in small pieces. 



Watch your fish carefully and do not let them 

 suffer. If you cannot give them a change of water, 

 you can refresh them and carry them long distances 

 by re-aerating the water, either by drawing it off 

 into a pail and then pouring it back into the can, 

 or by dipping it from the can and raising it high, 

 allow it to strike on the inverted cover of the can, 

 upon which the fall will be broken, and from thence, 

 it will fall quite gently on the fish. 



While the fish are in motion, either on the cars or 

 in a wagon, there is but little danger of losing them 

 because of the jostling about and consequent aera- 

 tion of the water ; but when they are standing still, 

 careful watch must be kept over them constantly, 

 and those having fish in charge should not sleep, 

 as in that case they would run an almost certain 

 risk of losing them. Large fish show signs of dis- 

 tress by coming to the top of the water, and some 

 kinds, as for instance, trout, will make frantic 

 endeavors to jump out of the can. Young fry at 

 first swim about uneasily, roll their eyes, turn on 

 their sides, and unless relief is given them immedi- 

 ately, they will be dead in a very few minutes. 



The number of fish of the bass and perch families, 



