6 



In consequence of the excessive hot weather, all the eels that were put into the cages died 

 before we were ready to start with them. I therefore brought with me but ten eels (as an 

 experiment), which were caught near our bass-fishing grounds on the night before our 

 departure. These were put into a box as above described, and in addition to wetting them 

 down three or four times during each twenty-four hours, and keeping a small piece of ice on 

 the cover, they were every day given a bath for a few minutes in the waste water from the bass, 

 which they seemed to enjoy hugely — the eel-grass being well rinsed and the box washed out. 

 These eels were from twelve to twenty-four inches long. They all came through in fine con- 

 dition, and were put into the bay near where the striped bass were planted, in water about a 

 foot deep, on the edge of the tules. On being put into the water, they immediately bored 

 straight down into the soft mud, and in a moment were all out of sight. 



The weather had been excessively warm, raising the temperature of the water at times, where 

 the fish were caught, to 84° Fahrenheit. When about three hundred had been secured, the fish 

 being much larger than was anticipated, and some of them showing signs of distress on account 

 of close confinement in such warm water, a second cage was built. The men continued fishing 

 until July fourteenth, and, according to their count from day to day, had caught about six 

 hundred, although all of this number were not in the cage when the fishing was discontinued, 

 for some had died from bruises caused by careless handling-, the temperature of the water caus- 

 ing the fungus to grow very rapidly where the scales had been rubbed off or discoloration pro- 

 duced from a bruise. Those that had been put into the first cage were supposed to be getting 

 somewhat hungry after going without food for a week, therefore they were fed with some 

 chopped liver, and their desire for food was so much stronger than their instinct of fear, that 

 they eagerly rushed for the food as it was put into the water, even taking it from the hand as 

 tame trout will often do. It was noticed that the bass in the second cage would not take food 

 until they had been several days in confinement. 



We now had all the fish we could carry in the space allotted -to us in the car, and we only 

 awaited the arrival of the cans from New York, which were promised to be ready for shipment 

 on Saturday morning. Arrangements were made to start for home on Monday afternoon, July 

 seventeenth. Mr. Marks, whom I had engaged to assist me in the care of the fish on the trip 

 to California, was to see that the bass were gotten into the cars all right, so that we might start 

 on the 4:55 p. M. train for Jersey City. While in an endeavor to get some eels to take along, I 

 was obliged to be away until one o'clock of this, to us, important day, on a trip to Seabright 

 and Parkerstown. Thirty-five of the larger bass were put into each of six cans, and forty of 

 the smaller ones into each of the six other cans. These bass were from five to nine inches in 

 length, and would average six and one half inches long. I had been advised by men experi- 

 enced in handling fish to put no more than twenty-five in each can to take on such a long trip; 

 but I knew that some of the weaker ones, with the best of care, would probably die, and being 

 very anxious to get through with as many bass as possible, we had resolved to give them more 

 than the usual amount of aeration and careful attention. It was decided to take the risk of 

 the cans being somewhat crowded. The warm, brackish water of the Shrewsbury was used to 

 fill the cans, and, after the fish were put in, the water was cooled down with ice. While the 

 water was being cooled down, some of the bass showed signs of distress, and, while at the river 

 bank, some of them died, perhaps twenty. At the railroad station, and before getting the cans 

 on the cars, we lost about as many more. During the excitement of attending to the fish, pay- 

 ing bills, and seeing that all of our traps were put aboard, no one thought of counting the dead 

 fish. Besides the twelve cans of fish, we had three cans of extra water and one box of eels; 

 and with the ice, pails, aerating apparatus, and our own baggage, we took up considerable 

 room in the car. Mr. J. A. Throckmorton, a prominent citizen of Red Bank, who had rendered 

 us much assistance, and to whom I am indebted for many personal favors, also Mr. G. H. Wild, 

 who, from the first, had been unremitting in his assistance, came to the station to wish good 

 luck and bid us good-bye. I am also greatly indebted 'to Mr. William E. Cole for many kind 

 favors. After the fish were on the train, we gave our whole attention to cooling down and 

 aerating the water, which was soon lowered to about 60° Fahrenheit, at which temperature, a 

 little above or below, we kept it all the way to the Pacific Coast. 



On the way to Jersey City, and during a detention there of two hours to connect with the 

 Pacific express train, twelve more of the bass died. During the night, some time after passing 

 Philadelphia, two more were found dead, which made fourteen all told since leaving Eed Bank. 

 Most of these had shown signs of distress by occasionally turning on their sides. A consider- 

 able number of those picked out had either lost some of their scales or had contusions, and 

 some had the "water- louse" fastened to their gills. These parasites were huge fellows, being 

 about five eighths of an inch long and three eighths of an inch broad, and would no doubt have 

 killed the fish sooner or later. During the next two days no more fish were lost. They 

 appeared strong and lively until early in the morning of our arrival at Council Bluffs. I 

 examined the cans, as had been our custom every few hours, and found the fish very lively in 

 all the cans but one, in which were several dead fish. They were all taken out of the can and 

 the water poured off, when at the bottom of the can was found a greenish-looking substance 

 about the size of a lozenge, which would break like a piece of cheese. I think, perhaps, the 

 fish may have nibbled from this mysterious substance and been poisoned. The next day, on 

 drawing off the water from these fish and filtering it, there was found a soft, greenish, oozy 

 matter, which may have passed through the fish. We could in no way account for this sub- 

 stance being in the can. From this can sixteen fish in all were lost before getting to Council 

 Bluffs. On arriving at Council Bluffs the fish were left in charge of Mr. Marks to bring over 



