A CCLIMA TIZA TION. 83 



CHAPTER XI. 

 ACCLIMATIZATION. 



OO much has already been written on this and 

 *r kindred subjects, and by so far abler hands than 

 ours, that we would fain leave the subject alone, were 

 it not that we feel it incumbent on us to speak boldly 

 on one or two points. 



Firstly, let us deal with the question of improving 

 our stocks of salmonidae by the crossing of native 

 strains. In favour of such a practice too much can- 

 not be said. If there were a sort of central fish-egg 

 exchange, so that owners of water could send up some 

 of their eyed ova, and receive in lieu thereof ova 

 from different waters, great advantages would accrue 

 to all ; and as there already exists a National Fish 

 Culture Association it may easily be conceived that 

 such a matter as this would naturally come within the 

 scope of its operations. The size and general quality 

 of our native Salmonidae could not possibly suffer by 

 such an institution, and such results would be attained 

 as would fairly astonish those who have not seen 

 similar experiments carried to a happy conclusion in 

 other animals. 



Whence have we our prize Shorthorns, Devons, 

 Herefords, and other fine breeds of cattle. Simply by 

 mixing or crossing various strains : but mixing with 

 brains not haphazard work, but work that demands 

 all the knowledge, thought and experience that the 



