1882. ] FISH COMMISSIONERS’ REPORT. 15 
July 8th we found ripe shad in our pens for the first time, 
and we found them as we needed them thereafter. We ascer- 
tained in the very commencement of our experiment that the 
eggs would not impregnate when treated in the manner that 
was always successful in fresh water. The ova and milt 
would not assimilate until we made the experiment of strip- 
ping the fish under water, and in this way we had no diff- 
culty; the eggs impregnated as readily and satisfactorily as 
they had ever done in our fresh-water operations. They set 
(adhered) perfectly, and enlarged to the usual size in about 
the usual period of time—were transparent, and perfect for- 
mations of the young fish were visible therein, and in some 
of the boxes the progress continued until the spasmodic ac- 
tion of the fish in the egg—the peculiar jerk—was plainly 
visible. 
During most of the time the winds were unusually heavy, 
producing an almost constant concussion of the water with 
the boxes, and a consequent abrasion of the eggs resulting in 
a premature rupture of the sac—an immature birth. This, 
together with the unusually low temperature of the water 
itself for so long a period, made obstacles and difficulties in 
the way of successful experiment that we had not then the 
means of overcoming, and in some cases did not foresee. 
Our experience thus far has developed the fact that the 
work of propagation, even under adverse circumstances, is 
successful in the waters of the sound up to the time of im- 
pregnation of the ova and embryo life. . And further, the 
causes that have apparently checked further developments 
have been those above stated—the concussion, abrasion, and 
premature rupture of the sac, and also the low temperature 
of the water. With these difficulties removed we believe 
that the artificial propagation of shad in the waters of the 
sound is neither impracticable or difficult. 
These difficulties may be obviated by the use of the cones 
which are now employed in artificial propagation in most 
places. One of the many circumstances that has occurred 
during the season to confirm and strengthen our conviction, 
is the following: 
