Insects, etc., of Caledonia Creek. 99 



The craw-fish, Astacus fluviatilis, under liberal appropriations made by the 

 government, is, at the present time, extensively cultivated in the rivers and 

 brooks of France for table use. 



The small crustaceans of the family of Gammaridce, noticed in preceding 

 pages, undergo no metamorphoses after their escape from the egg, and, there- 

 fore, give promise of less difficulty in their propagation. They have not, how- 

 ever, been reared from the egg, and we are still without their complete history. 

 Even their food is somewhat in doubt ; but they are believed to be principally 

 vegetable feeders, although eating animal matter in a decaying state, when con- 

 venient to them. 



Although, under these circumstances, it would be but an experiment, I pro- 

 pose to undertake the propagation of Gfammarus fasciatus — the species so 

 abundant at Caledonia, and which, therefore, should not prove very difficult to 

 rear. Prof. S. I. Smith, of Yale College, New Haven, whose successful study 

 of the Crustacea has necessitated his frequent citation in these pages, informs 

 me that this species probably breeds througout the spring and summer, as 

 females taken at various times, from March to August, are found carrying eggs 

 or young in various stages of development. From the fact that females with 

 undeveloped eggs and others with fully developed young, occur together during 

 so long a period, while very few are observed without eggs or young ; and further, 

 that the development of allied species is very rapid, Prof. Smith infers that the 

 same female breeds several times during the season. 



The above is about all that is known of the habits of this species ; but it leads 

 us to hope that there will be found no insuperable difficulties in its propagation 

 in confinement, or in its rapid multiplication. 



My acknowledgments are due to Mr. Seth G-reen, and to his brother, Mr. 

 Monroe A. G-reen, for the facilities afforded me for my examinations, and for 

 courtesies extended to me during my visit to Caledonia. 



I desire, also, to bear my testimony to the admirable manner in which the 

 operations at the State Hatching-house are conducted. It is difficult to see in 

 what direction further improvements can be made. The extreme care displayed 

 in all the minute details connected with the operations, on the part of each one 

 of the trained assistants engaged, certainly deserves the remarkable success 

 whieh has signalized the labors of your Commission. 



N. Y. State Museum of N. H., \ 

 March 12, 1878. J 



