158 PISH CULTURE. 



are not too rapid; and with oVerlianging banks and' 

 marly (not muddy) bottoms, suit them best. I placed, 

 some which were full of spawn in my river in October, 

 1863, and in September, 1864. While catching sub- 

 jects for the aquarium I caught a small crayfish, 

 about an inch in length, and a very amusing and, 

 interesting inmate of the aquarium he forms. Judg- 

 ing from this circuinstance, their growth must be 

 rapid. ' They may easily be kept in stews, but wiU 

 then require regular feeding. Indeed, I make no 

 doubt but in small spaces of water, properly mar 

 naged, with a sufficiency of holes and hiding-places 

 for them, and by feeding them with proper and 

 sufficient food, they would breed and increase to any 

 extent, and a very profitable trade be carried on in 

 them : their food need be but of, small consideration, 

 as they will eat offal in preference even to other 

 matters. They make good use' of their nippers, when 

 handled, and are apt to pinch somewhat sharply. 

 One way of taking them is to thrust the hand up into 

 the holes under old roots and banks, and letting them 

 fasten on the fingers, to draw them out thus. I do, 

 not strongly recommend the plan ; but the reader can 

 try it if he likes, and, if he does not mind the pinch, 

 will no doubt find amusement in it, particularly as 

 he may, perhaps, occasionally lay hold of a water-rat, 



