62 FISH CULTURE. 



be less ; a large jug for fresh water ; and a tin can 

 with a perforated lid, to carry the ova in — ^this shoiild 

 be a can capable of holding at least a gallon of water. 

 Pirst, half fill the tin dish with clean water ; take the 

 female (if a salmon, in the best way you can), one 

 person holding the head, and another the tail, and, if 

 necessary, a third steadying the body. If the head 

 be held between the knees, a better hold wUl be 

 got; and if a dry cloth be used to hold the fish, 

 there will be less chance of her slipping. Now, the 

 fish being held with the tail downwards, and the body 

 rather sideways, or with the belly a little towards 

 the operator, the vent being as closely over the water 

 in the tin dish as may be convenient, the manipu- 

 lator should, steadying the fish with one hand, com- 

 press the body with the other, passing the fingers 

 and thumb upon either side with a gentle pressure 

 from the thorax down to the vent. This pressure, be 

 it remarked, must not be harder than is sufficient to 

 expel the eggs without difficulty. If the fish does 

 not give up her roe, no force must be used ; but lay 

 her aside on the grass, or even in the water, for a few 

 minutes, when, perhaps, she- may be more easily per- 

 suaded. If, however, she stiU declines, she is not 

 quite ripe enough; and if you have the means of 

 keeping her for twenty-four or forty-eight hours, it 



