THE STEW. 159 



even the naturally bred denizens of the river. 

 The major portion of the food of the indigenous 

 fish is undoubtedly in the form of shrimps, snails, 

 caddis, and other larvae, which are invariably 

 found among the weeds in mid-water or at the 

 bottom, while the floating winged insects on the 

 surface are occasional delicacies taken freely 

 under only exceptional circumstances. This 

 discovery so impressed me, that I decided at 

 once to continue this form of food as long as 

 possible, and in as great a quantity as the year- 

 lings would take it. In respect to the floating 

 of the food, it must be noted that the liver alone 

 sinks and the lights alone float, but the latter 

 are deficient in sustenance. They should there- 

 fore be mixed in the proportion of not more 

 than two parts of liver to one of lights. 



In respect to the quantity of food to be given Symptoms of 



_ . . overfeeding. 



to young trout m confinement, the quantity of 

 shrimps, snails, caddis, larvae of Ephemeridae, 

 and other natural food need not be considered 

 unless the size of the ponds is out of all pro- 

 portion to the number of fish contained in them. 

 So long as the trout come eagerly to the food, 

 and the whole of the minced meat given is 

 devoured at once, they are not being overfed, 

 but if the fish cease feeding before all the food 

 is consumed it may be assumed that the supply 

 is excessive. They should commence feeding 



