OF THE SALMONIDM. 17 



in France. M. Girley showed him how the 

 ova of various species of fish were sent long 

 journeys, packed in wet moss in earthen- 

 ware jars covered with perforated parch- 

 ment ; hut he was told on all hands that 

 they would not travel unless so far advanced 

 towards hatching as to exhibit the eye, and 

 could in no case be sent to Australia. It 

 will be seen subsequently that Mr. Youl's 

 experience was diametrically opposed to 

 this, and that the sooner the ova were 

 packed and started on their journey after 

 fecundation the better were the results. 

 But he could not adopt the French plan, 

 for the obvious reason that ova so far ad- 

 vanced would be hatched in three weeks, 

 and what was to be done with them as young 

 fry at sea ? There was nothing for it but 

 to again try the effect of placing them on 

 gravel beneath a stream of pure water, 

 cooled by passing through the ice-house. 

 Shipowners appear to have contracted an 

 absurd fear of a cargo of several tons of ice ; 

 and, after great trouble, a small steamer, 

 the Beautiful Star, was chartered, and in 



3 



