146 THE NEW ART OF BREEDING FISH. 



of the embryo fish, which was distinctly seen resting 

 against the interior surface of the egg a few days 

 previous to its exclusion. On the 8th of April, 

 which makes ninety days imbedded in the gravel, I 

 found, on examination, that they were excluded 

 from the egg, which was not the case a day or two 

 previous. The temperature of tho water at the 

 time was 43 degrees, the temperature of the water 

 in the river 45, and the temperature of the atmos- 

 phere 39 degrees. On its first exclusion, the little 

 fish has a very singular appearance. The head is 

 large in proportion to the body, which is exceedingly 

 smaU, and measures about five-eighths of an inch in 

 length, of a pale blue or peach-blossom color. But 

 the most singular part of the fish is the conical bag- 

 like appendage which adheres by its base to the 

 abdomen. This bag is about two-eighths of an inch 

 in length, of a beautiful transparent red, very much 

 resembling a light red currant, and, in consequence 

 of its color, may be seen at the bottom of the water 

 when the fish itself can with difficulty be perceived. 

 The body, also, presents another singular appear- 

 ance, namely, a fin or fringe, resembling that of the 

 tail of the tadpole, which runs from the dorsal and 

 anal fins to the termination of the tail, and is 

 slightly indented. This little fish does not leave 

 the gravel immediately after its exclusion from the 

 egg, but remains for several weeks beneath it with 

 the bag attached, and containing a supply of nour- 

 ishment, on the same principle, no doubt, as the 



