A Sportsman 419 



having a yellowish tinge, which indicates the im- 

 pregnating effect of the abundant adjoining plant 

 life. This vegetable stain has its sequence in the 

 furnishing of the first source of trout existence by 

 the apparent spontaneous prodigality of infusorial 

 life. This is clearly evident without microscopic aid, 

 and throughout the waters, in a greater or less degree, 

 is plainly evident to the unassisted eye. This is the 

 primary constituent essential to young fish life. The 

 young trout or salmon, when relieved of the umbilical 

 sac, is of minute proportion, and is unable to live upon 

 the surface ephemera or food of after life, and subsists 

 wholly upon the infusoria, as do all the small fry gen- 

 erally designated as minnows, of which there are a 

 dozen varieties in the Rangeley waters. It is also the 

 principal food of the fresh- water smelts. The profusion 

 of small fish in the lakes supplying the principal food of 

 the trout and salmon accounts for their number and 

 superiority, without which they would be lacking, so 

 that in reality the primitive cause is the infusorial 

 element. This element abounds in all ponds, lakes, 

 rivers, and even ditches where decaying vegetable and 

 animal matter exists, and in countless profusion. It is 

 fovmd in thermal springs, and rivulets flowing from 

 snow-banks and glaciers, and in salt as well as fresh 

 water. No form of life can be more universal and ex- 

 tensive, while of so minute a character in the sea, and 

 in many fresh waters, as to require the strongest magni- 

 fying power to clearly observe. Even distilled water, 

 upon exposure to the air, will exhibit the life. Freezing 

 does not destroy it, nor will a deprivation of its watery 

 element. It may be dried in the sun for many days, 

 but its germ form when drifted with the dust to reviving 



