180 
“females failing to mature their spawn) and in fertilizing 
“but 15 per cent of these, resulting in a hatch of 6,400 
“fish. The parent fish, of both sexes, were and still are 
“perfectly normal, so far as conduct and appearances 
“would indicate. The trouble, however, seems to have 
“been entirely with the females, as the quantity and 
“quality of the male principal was all that could be 
“desired. Whatever the cause of the difficulty, the effect 
“was at once apparent in the abnormal character of the 
“fluid surrounding the eggs. From most of the females 
“the eggs would fall into the receiving pan like shot, 
“accompanied by one half to one fluid ounce of watery 
“substance, sufficient of which had been absorbed to 
“prevent fertilization. If there was any doubt that 
“absorption of water by a large percentage of the eggs 
“had taken place before leaving the fish, it was dispelled 
“by the fact that it was quite full and hard when taken 
“and refused afterwards to take up any more water. 
“ Moreover, the eggs from six females were found to be 
“enveloped in the natural viscous fluid, and these were 
“successfully fecundated.” 
The record above set forth refers to the spring work 
of 1883 at the Northville Station of the U.S. Fish Com- 
mission. Succeeding reports from this station, including 
the season of 1888 give varying degrees of success; 
ranging from 15 per cent. to 69 per cent. and averaging 
but 39 per cent. of impregnation during a period of six years. 
When we consider the large experience and high degree 
of success attained by Mr. Clark as a fishculturist, we 
cannot help but be struck most forcibly by the seeming 
failure of this branch of work at Northville. But, the 
report quoted by Mr. Clark shows us where to search for 
the cause. It is to be found in those hard, distented 
eggs which fall into the receiving pan like shot, and are 
frequently accompanied by an abnormal fluid. If this 
trouble were confined to the Northville Station solely, 
it might not be considered of sufficient importance to 
