256 AMERICAN PISH CULTUUK. 



from below tlie anterior portion of the belly, and seem to 

 assist them in maintaining their equilibrium." 



The'rate of growth is not rapid, and at the age of three 

 years, the fish is only about nine inches, or twenty-two cen- 

 timetres, long ; but at that age it is said to be able to pro- 

 pagate its race. Those kept in vases or small ponds are 

 still slower in their growth, which is even arrested at a 

 comparatively small size. The small fishes are most es- 

 teemed as food. Their flesh, it may be added, is firm, and 

 of a pale straw or yellowish color. 



Attempts to acclimatize the gourami. — In such esteem 

 has this fish been held that none, save, the goldfish, has 

 been the subject of more exertions to acclimatize in difier- 

 ent countries, and if we literally accept the word exertion, 

 even the goldfish cannot be excepted, for, although it is 

 true that that species has been more generally introduced 

 into foreign waters, little or no exertion seems to have 

 been necessary to effect that object. The history of the 

 attempts and success in the acclimatization of the gourami 

 may not only be useful with reference to eventual efforts 

 to introduce it into the United States, but the experience 

 gained may be of advantage in the treatment of others. A 

 somewhat extended narrative, compiled from the writings 

 of Cuvier, Rufz de Lavison, Auguste Vinson, and others, 

 is therefore submitted. 



As already remarked, the gourami is now found in south- 

 ern China, but has been probably introduced into that 

 country, although the date and circufnstances of its accli- 

 matization are unknown to us. It has likewise been intro- 

 duced into some of the islands of the same archipelago and 

 near those of which it is a native. But the history of its 

 introduction into the dominions of the French in different 

 qiiarters of the world is better known and of greater in- 

 terest. 



