98 Thirty-second Report on the State Museum. 



position shall attract flies for the deposition of their eggs, the grubs proceeding 

 from which will drop into the water to feed the fish. 



A method somewhat allied to this, would be that of obtaining the eggs of 

 certain species of insects, having the habit before referred to, of dropping to 

 the ground when alarmed or in readiness for pupation, and placing them upon 

 their appropriate food-plants projecting over the water — the larvae to serve as 

 fish-food during their growth. It is believed that there would be no insuperable 

 difficulty in procuring the eggs of some of the species in sufficient quantity for 

 this purpose, in consideration of the fact, that under the stimulus of the profit 

 resulting from sericulture, the eggs of the silk-worms are produced in such 

 quantities, that a freight-car laden entirely with them, recently passed through 

 Albany, en route from California to Europe. 



From the habit inherent to many of the insects and to most of the aquatic 

 forms of the animal kingdom, of preying upon one another, it would be neces- 

 sary to propagate most of the species separately. The predaceous water-tigers 

 could not be reared with the defenceless, herbivorous Phryganids ; the larger 

 forms of the dragon-flies with the smaller coleopterous larvae ; the Dysticus 

 larvae with the shrimps. 



It would also be necessary, in order to insure complete protection to such 

 species as are particularly liable to be preyed upon by other insects, that they 

 should be reared under cover. If, for example, the Phryganidce are to be 

 propagated, the aquatic plants upon which the larvae feed, would require not 

 only considerable space, but an exposure to light. If an open pond were devoted 

 to them, freed, if possible, at the outset, from every enemy, their presence, or 

 even the water-surface and its vegetation, would soon attract hither the dragon- 

 flies (Odonata) and water-beetles (Dytiscidre, etc.), for the deposition of their 

 eggs upon the plants, and the consequent speedy population of the water with 

 hosts of insect foes. 



The cover, either of suitable netting or glass, in addition to the protection it 

 would afford, would also prevent the escape of the insects when they have 

 attained their winged form ; and, furthermore, insure the return of their progeny 

 to the water devoted to their propagation. 



For many forms, properly constructed and arranged aquaria, of a capacity to 

 admit of the introduction of the requisite vegetation, would be all that would be 

 needed. They would afford ready means for isolation, and for the confinement 

 of the perfect insects for securing the eggs. 



If the suggestion last advanced — that of the propagation of fish-food, be 

 regarded as valuable by your board, and as giving promise of aiding materially 

 in the important work of your Commission, I would, in addition, propose, with 

 your approval and cooperation, personally to test the value of some of the sug- 

 gestions offered. The aquarium of the State Museum (of a capacity of sixty-five 

 gallons), could be used for the purpose. The State Botanist, Prof. Peck, would 

 cordially lend his aid in stocking it with such forms of vegetation as would seem 

 desirable (with the rare Hypiium noterophilum of Caledonia creek, and other 

 Caledonia mosses), and in other matters connected with his department. 



In view of the superiority of crustacean food, it would be a great achievement, 

 if the propagation of some of the more desirable species could be successfully 

 prosecuted. All the efforts thus far made to rear the lobster in confinement 

 have proved failures. It undergoes during its growth several transformations, 

 in one of which its abode in deep waters seems essential to its development, and 

 has also served to conceal from us that portion of its life-history. 



