244 PIKE AND OTHER COARSE FISH. 



The best mode of ' transferring ' perch, as well as carp and 

 tench, which possess the same amphibious qualities in common, 

 is to place them loosely among wet sedgy grass, in a coarse 

 wicker basket, through the interstices of which the air can cir- 

 culate freely. By this means specimens may be conveyed by 

 fast train from London to Inverness, or for any similar journey, 

 without injury, as Mr. Stoddart states, to their vital functions. 

 The only precautions necessary to be observed are that they 

 must not be too closely packed, that is, not too many between 

 the same layers of wet grass, and that fresh water should be 

 sprinkled over them every now and then to keep the consignment 

 cool. As minnows are one of the most common and killing, 

 perhaps the most killing, perch bait, it may be well to refer 

 here to the instructions for carrying live baits given at pages 

 42-7, all of which are fully applicable to minnows. A dozen 

 or two may, however, be carried in a common soda water bottle 

 for several hours by frequently changing the water ; the bottle 

 should not be more than three parts full. When the minnows 

 begin to exhibit symptoms of distress, which is known by their 

 rising to the surface of the water, it is a sign that a fresh supply 

 is needful. In an emergency they may, however, be partially 

 restored, without changing the water, by simply extracting the 

 cork and shaking the contents of the bottle so that the water 

 may be re-acratcd. Another plan mentioned by Mr. Stoddart, 

 who was an adept in minnow fishing for trout, was to carry them 

 loosely wrapped up in well-wetted grass or moss in the corner of 

 the fishing basket, by which expedient, the vitality more or 

 less, and the consequent freshness of the minnows may be pre- 

 served throughout an entire day ; and the same treatment will 

 be found successful when applied to loach and sticklebacks. 



I am not prepared to say that they will be as lively at the 

 end of the day as when first put into the moss, but if care is 

 taken to carry out the instructions given and sprinkle the moss 

 or grass frequently, they will, at any rate, preserve a certain 

 amount of vitality and freshness, which will fit them admirably 

 for spinning. 



