On the Murray River Cod. 27 



between the streams, of not more than seventeen or eighteen 

 miles, and I immediately sent up an expedition to test the 

 experiment fairly. That expedition was of a very modest 

 character, — consisting of a couple of men, a horse and spring- 

 cart, with tent, water-tight box, rations, and fishing tackle 

 — almost ludicrously inexpensive as compared with the object 

 at which I aimed, or as the result of combined action ; 

 although quite sufficiently costly for an individual. I men- 

 tion this as an illustration of the ease with which things are 

 done if we each perform our share of the task, compared with 

 the difficulty in the case of a single individual. 



After sundry little mishaps, in the way of horse-losing, 

 &c, by which all such experiments are naturally beset, I 

 heard from my man, that on the 6th February he had got 

 safely across with nineteen live fish, and had put them into 

 the Plenty, a mile or two above the township of Whittlesea. 

 I immediately wrote off to Mr. Sherwin, asking several 

 questions of some interest to the successful issue of the ex- 

 periment, and by way of giving you a correct idea of its 

 progress, I cannot do better than introduce an occasional 

 extract of the letters received from that gentleman. I wrote 

 up to ask particularly whether Mr. Sherwin had himself seen 

 the fish put in the Plenty, whether he was certain they were 

 the true Murray Pviver cod, and whether when put in they 

 swam vigorously away as if life-like and healthy ; or lingered 

 on the surface, as is the case with a weakly, diseased, or dis- 

 abled fish. I must remark, here, that I asked these questions 

 in no distrust of the man who has had charge of the experi- 

 ment, for it is but justice to bear my testimony to the great 

 zeal, intelligence, and fidelity he has exhibited throughout. 

 But about experiments like these there should be no room 

 left for any doubt whatever. If, as I believe and hope, 

 these fish are to prove the progenitors of countless thousands, 

 which in their own good time will make their way through- 

 out the waters of the Yarra and all its tributaries, the cir- 

 cumstances of their introduction to the streams on this side 

 of the dividing range should be unquestionable. 



On the 16th February Mr. Sherwin writes me in reply to 

 my questions — " 1st. Whether the fish are actually seen put 

 " into the river ? Yes ; I was present and assisted to put 

 " them into the river, and a large water-hole through which 

 " the river constantly flows. 2ndly. Are they really the 

 " Murray cod ? Fourteen were Murray cod, and five were 



