PROPAGATION OF FISH. 259 



It is observable of all hybrids that they are shy and 

 wild ; more so usually than either of their parents, and 

 that in appearance they favor their larger parent. The 

 cross between the brook-trout and lake-trout has been 

 repeated from year to year, till fish which are one-eighth 

 salmon-trout and seven-eighths brook-trout have been 

 produced which it is hoped will have the size and tough- 

 ness of the mother, with the beauty and gameness of the 

 father. 



These experiments commenced with a cross of the 

 brook-trout and California salmon, which had an interest- 

 ing and instructive termination, and prepared the way by 

 its failure for subsequent successes. 



In September, 1879, the young of the brook-trout and 

 California salmon were seen to be maturing their eggs. 

 This was the first time in the history of fish culture that hy- 

 brids gave evidence of breeding. It is asserted that among 

 animals, mules are occasionally known to produce young, 

 but this is a most unusual exception to a general rule. No 

 more was expected from the experiments in crossing va- 

 rieties than the production of combinations which might 

 be valuable in themselves, like the capons among fowls, 

 or the mules among draught animals, but which must of 

 necessity be purely ephemeral, and perishing with the 

 lives of the individuals. But when these hybrid trout- 

 salmon were opened and found to contain eggs quite large 

 and well forward in maturity, it seemed possible that 

 new species might be created and made permament. The 

 eggs were already larger than the mature eggs of the 

 trout, although it was then early in the season, and seem- 

 ed perfectly healthy. As time passed the parents were 

 watched with care, and were soon seen to be going into 



