80 THE GOLDFISH AND ITS CULTURE. 
This description of a trans-Atlantic shipping can is not at all 
expensive, and is further recommended by its reliability. Make ita 
rule, however, to ship only such fish as are in perfect health and 
fully domesticated. 
While on the road the water in the can should be changed only 
in exceptional cases, and then with great care, If the fish become 
weak it is a sign that they are not in good condition, and that a 
mistake has been made in preparing them for travel, and the simple 
changing of the water then will not prevent their dying. The rule 
is, do not crowd the shipping cans. 
When, upon the arrival of a lot of fish, there happen to be any 
dead ones in the vessel, and the balance weak or in a dying con- 
dition, or look slimy and pale, with bloody streaks on the fins or 
around the scales, it is a sure sign that suffocation has been the cause 
of the death of some, and will speedily cause that of the others. 
The living ones should at once be placed in a large vessel in the 
open air, filled with fresh water, to which a good handful of common 
table-salt is added. A clean wash-tub answers the purpose nicely, 
and besides, has the merit of usually being close at hand. 
This treatment, if resorted to immediately, will, in most cases, 
restore the fish to good health. 
