192 WINTER ANGLING 



This is how Mr. Francis speaks of the period in 

 the existence of the ovum between its birth and 

 the time it comes into possession of our tyro. 

 The by far most interesting part of its nonage, 

 however, lies before us. By means of our glass 

 siphon and lens you will perceive through its 

 transparent walls the gradual growth and definition 

 of the tiny fish. You will perceive the pink lines 

 hereafter to become arteries, the ruddy spot pres- 

 ently to form the heart, and which even now does 

 elementary duty in circulating the vital fluid. All 

 , this can be seen without injury to the egg or its 

 contents ; and marvellous and altogether beautiful 

 is the gradual development of this germ of life, 

 which in its full maturity will, perhaps, arrive at 

 the "lusty" life and glorious symmetry of a four- 

 pound trout or a twenty-pound salmon. By-the- 

 by, let it be clearly understood that the ova of 

 salmon are equally interesting with those of trout. 

 For my part, I advise a half-and-half mixture. 

 The salmon could be reared to two and three 

 pounds' weight in fresh water if land-locked, — that 

 is, kept in a lake and fed ; otherwise they seek the 

 sea, to reascend in spawning-time. While young, 

 however, both trout and salmon are very lovely, 

 and can be rendered quite manageable. 



