Collecting the Ova. 69 



Many ova are never impregnated, and the 

 enemies and dangers to which they are 

 exposed are legion. The water may become 

 too low, and leave the eggs to perish ; floods 

 may tear up the gravel and cover them over 

 with mud ; frogs, lizards, water-rats, snakes, 

 and numerous kinds of fish find a dish of ova 

 a dainty feast. When the young salmonoid is 

 hatched and reaches the alevin stage, it is 

 equally exposed to perils of similar kinds, and 

 at every stage from the ovum to the adult 

 salmon, dangers encompass it and snares 

 surround it. We may readily perceive the 

 advantages of protecting these delicate and 

 helpless young creatures, at least until they 

 are in a measure able to provide for their own 

 safety. 



The ova of salmon and trout, when deposited 

 in the natural redds, can be collected by using 

 a hoop-net, made of fine netting. This should 

 be held in the current below the redd, while 

 the gravel in which the eggs are embedded is 

 turned over with a spade. The gravel falls to 

 the bottom immediately, but the ova, being 

 lighter, float a little way with the current and 

 get caught in the net, and can then be placed 



