Artuur.—On Fish Culture in New Zealand. 205 
spots ‘black and crimson’ were very conspicuous. The females were clear 
and silvery, like sea trout, and crimson spots were visible, which probably 
in the summer season would not be discernible on the same individuals. The 
hook on the lower jaw of the males seems to grow larger and softer during 
the spawning season in our rivers, just as observed elsewhere. 
As the Water of Leith is a small stream, and the trout taken for stripping 
are often of great size, 10lbs. to 16lbs. in weight, the manager when done 
with the fish, and on their recovery, has for the last few years returned only 
the lesser fish to the Leith, the larger ones being removed to the Waikouaiti, 
Waitati, Silverstream, Waitahuna, Clutha, and Waipahi rivers ; or put them 
into the Waihola and Tuakitoto Lakes, and the Tomahawk lagoon. The 
object of this is to make room in the Leith for the growth of the younger trout. 
Stripping the fish—A crockery basin or bowl being ready, having a small 
quantity of pure water in it, the female fish ripe for stripping is removed 
from the tub wherein she and others have been placed temporarily. The 
fingers of the left-hand, if a heavy fish, are passed through the gills and 
the tail is seized by the right. Lifted thus from the tub, so soon as she 
becomes manageable, the left hand and knees keep her in position over the 
basin, while the fingers of the right passed gently down her belly from above 
the ventrals to near the vent, effect the stripping. If the female be very 
ripe the eggs will flow with little or no pressure from the fingers, but if not, 
then a certain number only may come away, when she is returned to the 
lying-in pond at once, and allowed to mature.* When stripped the poor 
female trout has a very collapsed appearance; the belly, which before was 
full and distended, being empty, straight, and doubled in! On being, 
however, returned to the pond she soon recovers, very few ever dying from 
the effects of this artificial spawning. A short time—not more than a minute 
and a half or two minutes—suffices for handling thus a fish. Next in order, 
when the basin is full enough (it should not have too many) of eggs, a male 
is got, and similar handling with that just described gives the necessary 
quantity of milt, provided the fish be ripe. The milt from one male we 
find quite sufficient to impregnate the ova of several females, and that of 
& young male seems to be as efficient as that of a more mature trout. The 
milt and eggs are stirred gently with a spoon to ensure thorough contact. 
The female eggs are of a glossy dark pink colour on passing from the 
ovaries, but I have noticed a faint yet distinct alteration to a semiopaque 
and slightly milky tint, on impregnation taking place. I have preserved 
Specimens of unimpregnated and impregnated eggs in glycerine, so as to 
retain the natural colours, and this difference in certain lights I believe I 
cau still distinguish. 
ee nett URTON cocaine ea 
* Mr. Howard, of Wallacetown ponds, ee 
to secure the fish during stripping. 
