32 



placed in the water three mature females and two males to each acre. 

 The eggs are subject to many casualties; they get smothered, are 

 eaten by other tish, and even Ijy the parents, so that it is not usual to 

 obtain more than eight hundred or one thousand young fish from 

 the A'ast number of eggs extruded bj' each female. A larger per- 

 centage of young fish would be obtained if the pond contained no fish 

 but carp, and the parents were caught and removed to other waters 

 after the eggs were deposited. The eggs of carp, although adhesive^ 

 have been hatched artificially. A more simple plan is to make a 

 rough box-shaped frame of willow sticks, tied or nailed together, 

 four or five feet long, three wide, and one liigh. This frame should 

 be densely interwoven with the brush of Monterey cypress, or of the 

 redwood, and not to be trimmed on the inside of the frame. Put 

 this in the pond where it can float, and place in it two ripe females 

 and one male; cover the top with netting, so that the fish may not 

 escape. The females will fill the brush on the bottom and sides with 

 eggs, which the male will impregnate. When the spawning is com- 

 pleted, the fish should be removed. In due time the young fish will 

 make their appearance. This is a close imitation of nature, while 

 the eggs are preserved from enemies. 



The carp in Europe is considered so valuable a fish, and supplies 

 such a large amount of food, that it is deservedly popular. Wherever 

 it has been introduced in California, it has grown and increased in 

 numbers. 



So many persons are desirous of obtaining this fish for ponds, 

 sloughs, and lakes, in their several localities that we have considered 

 it advisable to give this condensed statement as to the best means for 

 the care and increase of this variety of fish. 



BLACK BASS — MICROPTERUS NIGRICANS. 



The seventy-three black bass placed in Napa River in 1873, were 

 probably all caught by anglers before tliey had time to propagate. 

 We heard that some were caught, during that year, from the river in 

 which they were deposited, but cannot learn that any have been 

 seen since. Twentj^-two mature fish were brought from the East in 

 July, 1879, and placed by us in the Crystal Spring Reservoir, of the 

 Spring Valley AVater Company, in San Mateo County, with the assur- 

 ance, on the part of the officers of that company, that the lake would 

 be preserved and no fish allowed to be caught until the Fish Com- 

 missioners granted permission; and, with the further promise that, 

 if the fish increased, the State could at all times take them for public 

 distribution. These fish have done well, and are rapidly increasing 

 in numbers. In another year the young can be caught and distrib- 

 uted to appropriate waters. 



The Sportsman's Club, of San Francisco, have also imported a 

 number of these fish and placed them in a lake in Alameda. We 

 are pleased to learn that these also have increased in numbers. 



STRIPED BASS — ROCCUS LINEATUS. 



The one hundred and fifty striped bass brought in 1879, and placed 

 in the water in the Straits of Carquinez are probably increasing. 

 One of these fish was caught in the bay near Saucelito, and brought 

 to market and identified. We have heard of a few others having 



