APPENDIX. 151 



moss had been most loosely packed, and the Ova 

 subjected to the least amount of pressure. 



The Commissioners have already communicated 

 to Mr. Youl their observations and conclusions on 

 this point. By him, and by other Pisciculturists 

 in England, the subject will, doubtless, be duly 

 investigated. 



The point involved is one which experience and 

 observation can alone decide. 



It is impossible for the Commissioners to say, 

 with accuracy, what was the number of Ova placed 

 in the Ponds in an apparently living and healthy 

 condition. Mr. Eamsbottom had, with some hesi- 

 tation, estimated them at 30,000, or a little more 

 than a fourth part of the number embarked in the 

 Norfolk. 



Prom this number, however, it has since been 

 discovered that a large deduction has to be made 

 on account of those that have been found sterile in 

 consequence of deficient fecundation. A large 

 portion of the Ova of this character have main- 

 tained, during the whole progress of hatching, and 

 many of them still preserve, their brilliant and 

 healthy aspect, but on close examination are found 

 to contain no embryo fish within. 



Mr. Eamsbottom has estimated the number of 

 these unfecundated Ova as not less than 16,000. 

 The number of healthy Trout Ova placed in the 



