FISH AND FISHERIES. 157 
Among the fishes which we would most strongly recommend to those who are 
apecially interested in the subject of the acclimatization of useful fishes, we would 
kee mention the salmon of the western coast of North America (Oncor- 
yneus quinnat), of which the chief fisheries are in the Sacramento and Columbia 
Rivers. The experiment of their introduction has been tried in New Zealand by 
Dr. Hector, on behalf, of the Government of that country, we believe with success. 
It is the only salmon known which we in New South Wales can possibly, with our 
climate, have any chance of acclimatizing. We believe it is likely to do well in 
our Australian rivers, and in quality it does not seem, from the tinned specimens 
so largely imported here from California, to be one whit inferior to the salmon of 
the north of Europe. One other fish we would suggest to those who are disposed 
to introduce and acclimatize fishes of very superior quality. The Chanos salmoneus 
is of the herring family, of large size (2 feet long), extreme beauty and metallic 
brilliancy, and of the most exquisite flavour. It is found, though rarely, in these 
latitudes, its true habitat being in warmer seas, This fish is cultivated and kept 
in tanks in Southern India and Malacca, where it is highly prized, and regarded as 
a most expensive luxury. It might be tried in some of our northern rivers, the 
most evident objection to the experiment being the fact that the fish must have 
occasional access to salt water, and that once out of his river he might never 
sine in but after all, the same objection might be urged against salmon culture, 
It should be mentioned that this fish has, like the Gourami, an 
accessory branchial organ which renders it especially adapted for accli- 
matization. Dr. Giinther says that it attains the length of 4 feet. 
In conclusion, a few words on artificial ponds and stocking them. 
The pond which is made by a dam should cover 10 or 12 acres at the 
least. The sides should be steep, except on one side, the depth over 7 
or 8 feet, not only to allow for evaporation but also to prevent its be- 
coming clogged with a growth of weeds from the bottom. There should 
be waste weirs at each end of the embankment for flood-times. The 
pond may be divided off by an embankment below the surface so as to 
portion off a shallow breeding-place. Trout will require a gravelly 
bottom, and will not thrive without it. 
Carp (Carrassius) are the best fish for a pond. They breed often and 
abundantly, and their young are hardy and grow rapidly. The male is 
mature in five years, but the female not until she attains the age of 
eight years. 
Tench (Tinca tinca) is another useful fish which will agree perfectly 
with carp. They will not attack or devour each other’s spawn. 
The female is wonderfully prolific, over a } of a million ova have been 
counted in one roe. Tench are said to hybernate in winter ; its ova 
are of a green colour. 
Perch (Perca fluviatilis) are ravenous fishes which will often devour 
their own ova and always that of other fishes, and therefore it is not 
desirable to keep them except in ponds by themselves. It is a poor 
table fish, but affords good angling. 
Trout (Salmo fario) are also very ravenous, and often destructive to 
its owh spawn. 
Pike (Zsox lucius) can never be safely introdeced near other fishes, 
as‘it devours all the small and weak ones, and will even attack young 
ducks. They are excellent for the table, but must be kept by themselves. 
