American Fisheries Society. 19% 
Basilichthys microlepidotus. They are regarded as the most 
valuable fresh-water fishes of the country. They are found in 
fresh, brackish, and salt water. During the winter months one 
species at least (Bastlichthys bonariensis) ascends the Rio de la 
Plata from salt or brackish waters to places above Buenos 
Aires where it is caught by anglers with two or three hooks at- 
tached to one line, very much as the smelt is caught in the tidal 
rivers of New England However, there is never any ice in the 
Rio de la Plata. The fish is a spring spawner, ripe spawning 
specimens having been found from early October to late Novem- 
ber according to the altitude or latitude and consequent tempera- 
ture of the water in which caught. The fish has very clear white 
flesh and small specimens are almost transparent. When from 
five to eight inches long pejerreyes are served in English and 
American cafes in Buenos Aires as smelt. 
I have seen adult specimens weighing five or six pounds but 
I understand they sometimes attain a weight of fifteen pounds. 
The fish has quite an extensive range in the country but the peo- 
ple are now stocking some of the uninhabited lakes with them, 
thus extending the range by artificial propagation. The eggs 
are adhesive and in some instances it has been found best to 
transport the eggs direct to the waters to be stocked and plant 
them in the lakes where they are surrounded by brush or other 
proper protection from predaceous birds and animals until they 
hatch. The eggs have also been hatched to a limited extent in 
McDonald jars. 
There are no private fish cultural establishments in the 
country. 
In addition to the work with fishes a practical oysterman has 
been employed by the government. He recently arrived in the 
country with a lot of oysters to be planted at suitable points 
along the coast. He is to remain in Argentina for an indefinite 
period and make investigations as to the possibilities for extend- 
ing the work of oyster culture. 
With each shipment of eggs from the United States to Argen- 
tina some minor improvements have been made. The following 
is a description of the case with improvements last adopted : 
The case consists of an outer and an inner box, having a space 
between them filled with non-conducting material, an ice space, 
