Low to obtain it. 187 
It should be well adapted for packing embryo trout, for it 
has been largely used for packing human infants by the Lapland 
women, who wrap their children in it. When well dried it is 
found to provide an exceedingly good protection against cold. 
The moss is gathered and carefully kept in a cool, damp 
place, where it undergoes the felting process, which is very simple. 
A number of presses are filled with layers of moss and sheets of 
perforated zinc alternately, and after remaining all night, the moss 
is taken out beautifully felted next morning, and so a fresh supply 
is continually being produced. It is not by any means necessary 
to felt the moss ; indeed, so far as it and the eggs are concerned, 
it answers the purpose just as well without being felted, but for 
packing large quantities of ova it is an absolute necessity to have 
everything expeditiously done, considering the price at which 
trout eggs are put on the market. 
The fabric which is used between the moss and the eggs 
should first be well washed, to cleanse it from starch or any other 
impurities. I once received a lot of ova which may be said to 
have been packed in window curtains and starch.. The sender 
had cut up an old curtain, and used the pieces stiff with starch for 
packing the ova, with the result that on unpacking here they came 
out a conglomerated mass of eggs and starch. The eggs were 
covered with the slimy stuff, and had to be well washed. I have 
seen more than one case of this kind. Now, although starch is 
considered sufficiently wholesome to give in large quantities to 
human infants, it is decidedly bad for trout, and its use is to be 
avoided. Had the journey been a long one the eggs might have 
suffered materially, and in any case there would be a great risk of 
their being attacked by that most dreaded pest of the fish culturist, 
Saprolegnia (fungus). It would not attack them probably until 
they were in the hatching boxes, as it does not grow readily in air, 
too much oxygen being fatal to it. Hence the necessity for care- 
fully washing the eggs before laying them down. It should 
always be done. 
Old window curtains, after being well washed, make excellent 
packing material for trout ova, but a variety of fabrics may be 
used. The great point to be observed is cleanliness. 
Eggs may be packed as soon as the eye spots begin to show 
