182 THE BRITISH ANGLER'S LEXICON. 



ripe spawning fish, as well as the expense, the undertaking 

 was abandoned. This season the killing hatch has been 

 utilised for the purpose of capturing spawning fish. The 

 nearly ripe parents are taken from the hatch and placed in 

 ponds having a strong running stream passing through 

 them. They are retained in these until they are quite ready 

 for spawning. Unripe spawn is worse than useless, there- 

 fore, considerable judgment is required to use the fish at the 

 proper time ; also to match the fish as near size as possible, 

 as the milt of a large fish should not be put with the ova of 

 a very small one. The ova, by gentle pressure of the 

 hand, is extracted into an earthenware vessel (such as that 

 used for milk), and the milt at once distributed sparingly 

 over it, and then gently mixed with the hand. This is now 

 allowed to remain in darkness for about half an hour. If 

 the temperature be over the average the eggs will separate 

 in less time, and impregnation has taken place. The 

 change of colour of the eggs will be seen at once from a 

 bright red amber to a duller hue. Both tin and zinc trays 

 have been tried for laying the spawn on, but glass grids, 

 made for the purpose, have been found superior. The 

 period of hatching depends entirely on the temperature of 

 the water ; average, say from sixty to eighty-five days. 

 The boxes used at Lismore for hatching measure about 

 nine feet long and fourteen inches wide, and deep enough 

 to permit a run of seven inches of water. Pure spring 

 water is used until the ova is ' eyed,' after this period the 

 best water is that of a mountain stream. From six to seven 

 weeks the hatched fish remain in these boxes with little or 

 no food, but before the yolk sac is entirely absorbed it is 

 prudent to induce the young fry to feed. The most suitable 

 food is powdered liver or patent food supplied by Mr. Ford, 



