36 Aquatic Lite 
= 
had offspring from them. Learning that 
Rev. Roth had also succeeded, we wrote 
him about it. He replied by sending two 
pairs of youngsters from the hybrids. 
Either the males could not stand a rail- 
road trip, or else we were not versed in 
their requirements. At any rate, the 
young males seemed to lose interest in 
life, and gradually pined away and died, 
b A) 9 8 OF OS PE PE OP EF OS IY! 
while the females grew large and strong. 
Last spring the writer visited Rev. 
Roth and returned to Chicago with sev- 
eral pairs. One pair we gave to Mr. 
Fred Orsinger, and the others were re- 
tained. In a week or two Mr. Orsinger 
phoned, announcing the arrival of a 
whole batch of babies from the hybrids, 
and a month or so later another lot. Then 
Dr. A. H. Peck, another Chicago aquar- 
ist, was successful. The patience of the 
writer was finally rewarded by the dis- 
covery of some babies swimming mer- 
rily in the tank with their hybrid parents. 
| 
Typical male of Xiphophorus helleri (upper) and two variants 
PS I I I a I I 6 a a a a a at | 
The writer can positively attest to the 
fact that the original cross is neither 
sterile, nor do any of the offspring revert. 
The experience of a number of us has 
proven it. The writer has had some sharp 
discussions with several wise ones, who 
insist that it is a physical impossibility 
to produce young from hybrid parents 
without at least part reverting to the form 
- 
a ecu me ms 
of the parents of the original cross—just 
as they once confidently insisted that this 
original cross was impossible. But the 
proof of the pudding lies in the eating 
thereof! A number of us have the proof 
in the form of the hybrid and progeny 
from it. So what can the cock-sure 
doubter say? Is ita nature fake? Be it 
as it may, the fish is among us to stay 
and is eagerly sought by the very ones 
who once said that “it ain’t no fish.” 
And although we are far from being re- 
vengeful, yet the knowledge of this fact 
brings sweet solace to the soul! 
