58 THE ACCLIMATISATION 



rature and to pack the boxes in which they 

 are being taken to the hatching ponds after 

 arrival. About twenty-five tons will be 

 packed in the ice-house of the Oberon ; and 

 if she makes her passage in ninety days, 

 there is every probability that a few tons 

 will remain unmelted, and that some thou- 

 sands of ova will survive to produce young 

 salmon in New Zealand waters. It is, 

 perhaps, needless to observe that this ice- 

 house will never be opened on the voyage. 



" The actual packing of the ova is done 

 in the following manner : The box, made of 

 pine, is about 12 in. long, 8 in. wide, and 

 5^ in. deep, and sufficiently strong to support 

 the weight of the ice. On the bottom is 

 distributed a layer of charcoal in small 

 lumps, free from dust, over which a handful 

 of broken ice is spread. A nest of fresh 

 living moss, with the roots attached, is next 

 lightly packed over the charcoal and ice. 

 Upon this the ova are distributed as regu- 

 larly as possible by pouring them out of a 

 wide-mouthed bottle, with care to avoid 

 injury. A second layer of moss is then laid 



