176 USE OF GRAVEL TO YOUNG FISH. 



and nuclei of various kinds. I may mention 

 that, besides gravel, if you do not wish to 

 restrict yourself to the simplest means, it may 

 be of some advantage to put into the water, in 

 the artificial process, some aquatic plants, which, 

 in vegetating, may help to keep the water 

 pure, and favour the increase of infusoria, the, 

 food of the young fish. 



AMICUS. You have spoken of the interest 

 attending the artificial process of hatching. 

 Favour me, if you please, with some of the 

 results of your experience, so that I may be 

 able better to appreciate the interest. 



PISCATOR. Perhaps you will not consider 

 them in the relation so interesting as they ap- 

 peared to me in the observation, the interest 

 in a thing happily increasing with the attention 

 bestowed, often imparting a momentary im- 

 portance to what, except to the actual observer, 

 must seem trifling. But do not mistake me ; 

 do not suppose that I make the remark with 

 any intent to undervalue minute observations. 

 As to your request, let me recollect, for without 

 reference to notes, the describing of observa- 

 tions of this kind tasks the memory. I had best 

 begin again ab ovo. 



