94 THE HISTORY AND HABITS OF THE SALMON. 



portion of ova that came to life, either of that artificially 

 impregnated or deposited in the open gravel, or of what 

 was spawned by the fish naturally. But as far as could 

 be judged, they succeeded equally well with that in the 

 baskets. Perhaps the baskets may have a preference over 

 the other methods tried, as affording more certain protec- 

 tion to the spawn during winter. And it is proper to 

 state that the last-described mode of depositing the ova 

 and milt was most successful. There can be no doubt, 

 from the success that has attended these experiments that 

 the breeding of salmon and other fish in large quantities 

 is, comparatively speaking, easy ; and that millions may be 

 produced, protected from every danger, and turned out 

 into their proper element at the proper age, which Mr. 

 Shaw has proved, by repeated experiments on a small 

 scale, to be when they have attained about two years of 

 age. When the par marks disappear, they assume the 

 silvery scales of their parents, and distinctly show a strong 

 inclination to escape from confinement, and proceed down- 

 wards to the sea. 



" Professor Agassiz asserts, that the ova of all fish, 

 when properly impregnated, can be conveyed in water of 

 a proper temperature even across the Atlantic as safely, as 

 if it were naturally deposited by the parent fish, so that any 

 quantity of salmon or other spawn, can, after impregna- 

 tion on the banks of a river, be carried to other streams, 

 however distant, which may be favourable for hatching. 

 It may be right to observe, that as the fry are to remain 

 two years in the artificial ponds when hatched, fresh places 

 must be used every second year for the spawn, as even 

 one-year-old fry will destroy spawn, or their more infantile 

 brethren if left together. Old spent salmon are also de- 

 structive to both spawn and fry/' 



SALMON LEGISLATION. 

 From Belts Life, March, 1853. 



<( Our legislators have again met for a season, and 

 great things are expected from such a combination of 

 talent and experience ; some parties want one thing, and 

 some want another ; arid undoubtedly a great many 



