162 THE ANGLER-NATUEALIST. 



and here is ample proof that it is capable of producing its 

 own species, which, from the quantity of ova in the spe- 

 cimen now before me, must be very numerous." 



Many naturalists have disputed entirely the existence 

 of hybrids among fish. This, however, is certainly a 

 mistake, as such hybrids have been actually produced by 

 placing fish of different species in sufficient numbers in 

 the same vivarium. The experiment was tried with perfect 

 success by Mr. Bartlett with the common Carp and Gold- 

 fish, the result being that the ova and milt became inter- 

 mixed, and many nondescript varieties were produced ; but 

 whether these fish possessed the power of renewing their 

 species, and what would have been the nature of such pro- 

 geny if bred, is a different question, for the solution of 

 which the experiment was unfortunately not carried far 

 enough to furnish any data. It is indisputable, however, 

 that hybrids exist amongst birds, and even plants, which 

 are capable of reproduction. At Syfran, on the River 

 Krymsa, they breed the Astracan Swan-Goose ; this breed 

 intermixes with the common Goose, and its progeny will 

 couple with each other *. 



A similar cross has for some years been bred at the 

 Zoological Gardens, between the Tufted Duck (FuHgula 

 cristata) and the Castaneous Duck (Nyroca leucophthalma) , 

 the new species exhibiting very marked and well-defined 

 characteristics. The male Nyrocas have a singular habit, 

 when courting, of suddenly jerking back the head and 

 * Pallas's Travels in Siberia. 



