PROPAGATION OF FISH. 245 



the spawning beds to deposit them as if she had a full 

 supply. If she is cleaned entirely, she will not bother 

 herself or her owner about the matter again that season. 

 The California mountain trout retain their eggs and milt 

 with more determination than our brook-trout, and must 

 be humored like a cow that will not give down her 

 milk to any one but the creature for which nature in- 

 tended it. After the trout are handled they are returned 

 to different tubs, according to their sizes, as this is the 

 occasion to sort them. 



Twenty to twenty-five minutes having now elapsed 

 since the pan of eggs was set in the trough, gently tip up 

 the pan. If the eggs are loose and roll separately as you 

 move it, they are ready for subsequent operations ; if not 

 yet loose, let them remain a while longer. Pour off the 

 dirty water until only sufficient is left to cover the eggs. 

 If this is done very gently, the eggs, although very light, 

 will remain at the bottom, as they are somewhat heavier 

 than water ; then sink the pan into the water, at the same 

 time tipping it, and take it half full of water. The influx 

 of water will wash the eggs around somewhat, and dilute 

 the dirty water remaining in the pan. This is to be 

 poured off, as before, and the operation repeated, until the 

 water looks perfectly clear. There will be some dirt and 

 droppings of the trout still left, which can be carefully 

 picked out with the nippers. If an egg should happen to 

 be broken, while being taken from the trout, every ves- 

 tige of it should be carefully removed, as the slimy, sticky 

 contents will get on the other eggs and kill them. The 

 eggs are now ready to be placed in the trough, as soon as 

 you shall have raised the water in the nest to which you 

 wish to transfer them, by placing a strip across the 



