FOREST AND STREAM, 
179 : 
r travel we struck out, each taking a different direction. My 
course lay up the mountain, I had not advanced far up be- 
ions 1 came upon the tracks of two deer, a doe and a buck, 
and at once started in pursuit. It was verv noisy under 
foot, and it required the utmost strategy to get a shot. But 
fortune favored me for they ascended the mountain until 
f they passed* the belt of desiduous trees, with which the 
mountain is girted to a certain height, and entered the thick 
evergreens. Here the ground was covered with soft moss, 
amt i could walk much more quietly. Besides,moss furnishes 
excellent food for deer, and the marks indicated that they 
, were lending, and probably not far distant. I now ad¬ 
vanced with the greatest caution aud stealth, carefully scan¬ 
ning the ground fool by foot, before me. It was perfectly 
j still. The trees were as motionless as the mountain on 
which they grew; profoundest silence every-where. I listen 
for some slightest sound; some cracking of brush or foot 
steps, that may indicate their whereabouts; but I hear only 
■ the pulsations of my own heart as it throbs with anxious 
expectation. Yet, another step, and there is the doe lying 
down behind an old fallen tree! 1 can sec only about, two 
inches of her head above the log. it is a poor shot but I 
must try it. So my rifle cracks, and all the echoes of the 
crisp morning air awake! Her bead is lost to view, but iu 
I an instant the old buck reveals himself, ri-ing from his bed, 
and making a few hounds toward me. When lie reached 
Hie doe he stopped, turned around, and looked at her in 
utter amazement. The occurrence was doubtless beyond 
| his comprehension. I brought the other barrel of my ride 
I to bear upon him and fired. He rushed madly down the 
| mountain a few rods and fell dead. Alter him I went, aud 
I drawing him hack to the doe I hung them both on one pole, 
I and went in pursuit of more. I .soou found un old buck’s 
I Brack, but he appeared to he on the travel, as he made no 
Stop, but went m a zigzag course up the mountain. Higher 
itmi still higher lie ascends, the air getting fearfully cold. 
The clouds sweep past me, shrouding mo in a dense mist- 
hut his course is still upward until we near the summit. 
T hen from a pinnacle 1 gaze down upon a scene 1 can 
never forget, much less describe; words are inadequate. 
1 am above the clouds and shut out from the earth beneath, 
but all around are mountain tops, glittering in the setting 
-sun, which seem to rise out ot an oceau of vapor, like 
islands from the bosom of the sea. For awhile I stood 
jet) chanted; then a feeling of loneliness stole over me. I 
i«jiwoko from my reverie and pushed on after the old buck. 
I soon got discouraged, however, as he made no slops, and 
1 was perhaps no nearer than when I commeneed follow¬ 
ing him; besides, ft was near sundown, and 1 was three or 
[•four miles away from camp, and must start at once to 
Bleach it before dark. 
1 stood taking my reckoning from the compass, to see in 
wlmt direction to travel,.when suddenly I heard a great 
rusilmg among the evergreens just over a little elevation 
of ground, taupposiug that I had at last routed the bunk 
from liis lair, 1 rushed to gain the elevation, and perchance 
gel a running stmt; hut what was my surprise, on looking 
‘over the brow of tue hill, to see not the old buck, hut four 
|beats, an old one and three cubs. Theyseomed to be goiu<>- 
I through a regular course of gymnastics, ns they were playo 
ing alt sorts of unties. Soou one of tire cubs jumped upon 
•tt log, presenting an opportunity for a shot which i quickly 
|i)«proved. Al the crack of my rifle lie pitched off and 
tolled down tiie mountain like a hoop, doubled up aud 
turning over and over. This at once put a slop to alt bear 
play.-They hustled about ju great excitement, not know¬ 
ing what direction to take to avoid this Intrusion into their 
jffuuily sports. Sown they started off at a right angle to 
Site Course of the cub 1 had shut. The evergreens were 
iverv thick, and their motions were so active that it was 
impossible to discharge my remaining barrel with auy de¬ 
cree of certainly; so i made a sharp noise to attract their 
Bftieniion, and tue old bear suddenly stopped. I could only 
(we her mud parts, but it Vvas my only chance; I fired in- 
■sluntly, aud they all disappeared. 1 first followed the cub 
■I had shot, and found him dead about a hundred yards 
■< J, om where 1 shot him. 1 then took after the last one I 
■had shot at, aud soon discovered by the blood on the snow 
■Unit she was wounded. The cubs soou left their dam, 
■Whether from instinct or by her dictation I cannot say. 1 
■til-sued her nearly half a mile, when I saw her rise up from 
Hi poo! of water and make off. 1 took a running shot, but 
without effect. Another quarter of a mile, and I saw her 
tise up not more thau ten yards away aud beat a rapid re¬ 
hear. i sent a bullet Hying after Iter, which struck her, 
jut not iu a vital part, though it crippled her somewhat, 
Hid she made lor the thick scrub evergreen. A ear Lbe 
lummit of this mountain is a thick growth of stunted 
evergreens,, chiofiy spruce, from five to ten feet high, the 
limbs growing close to tit© ground. You cannot see an 
Object more ihau ten feet distant as a general thing, aud 
|ven then one must creep on ali fours iu order to get 
Brough aud see anything. They grow iu clumps, with 
piervening clearer spaces, where there is not much tiui- 
ter. The wouuded hear plunged into one of these hedges, 
u hot more than three rods in diameter. I followed 
hound Hie open space that enclosed it, but saw she had 
lot come out. When I came around to her tracks again I 
hl'usi myself into the blishes, which routed her; then site 
Mtde for a more extensive jungle. Jl, was now so dark 
hat 1 could not see the sights on my rid.©, and it.was with 
It! greatest ddlioully that 1 could follow her. 1 would 
[Be tell her till llte following day, but there was so little 
low that should it snow ever so little, or even thaw tiie 
i-ast, it would obliterate the Hack, and I would lose her. 
Ehiretore resolved to pursue as loug as I could see her 
'ticks. Wo ou my hands aud knees I entered the thicket in 
tlTsuit; my hut was soon torn trom my head by the thick 
tush, but f deemed it useless to replace, so I Jett it daug- 
ng in the branches and wont ou barless. But hat or hair 
as oi little importance to me now; it was the bear I 
anted. Hhe would go but a short distance aud then lie 
svn; then 1 would come up to her. It was so dark by 
time I could only discern a dark object ten or fifteen 
iff distant; but getting as good a range as I could along 
&-barrels of my title 1 would fire, A most fearful growl, 
ilh gnashing ot teeth, would greet the discharge, nut in 
ic-lihick smoke and darkness I could scarcely see any- 
tug. i had a large knife hung by my side, aud as soon 
Iwircd i would place ruy baud ou tiie lniudle, expecting 
Ootne to a baud to paw figlit; but although she lore by 
BrSUarliug mosL leartully, aud so near that i could almost 
cl her hot breath on my face, she refused to commence 
e attack, 1 fired four shots at her in this way iu the 
mket of spruces, and then drove her to more open ground, 
Imre I was able to obtain a better shot, whereupon she 
lied over ou her back aud pawed the air as if inviting 
me to a hug. I supposed it was her dying struggle, and I 
went and stood by her side, when she suddenly rolled to 
her feet again and ran down the mountain faster than ever, 
and I had to follow some distance before I overtook her 
again Site again lay down, and I fired both barrels, which 
took effect, and she rolled over on her side with a groan. 
I rushed upon her and plunged my knife into her breast 
and she gave in, I gave one exultant shoutand then turned 
my attention to getting to camp. 
It was now total darkness, and I was near the summit of 
one of the highest of the Adirondack mountains. Them 
was a road running aloug the base, made by lumbermen, 
aud used in the winter. This road passed our camp, and 
I had only to gain this when I could easily find the shanty. 
I at once commenced the descent, but made slow progress, 
as there were many perpendicular ledges of rock, and [ 
was obliged to feel my way down, hanging on to the trunks 
of trees, and often sliding down on my back for many 
feet, bringing up against tree trunks and rocks. Although 
it was but two or three miles down to the road, it appeared 
at least ten. However, I at leugth reached the road aud 
camp in safely, to llte no small joy of my companions, as 
well as of myself. They had given me up as lost, and were 
planning a search for me iu the morning. That night, as 
we sat around the blazing camp fire, I r ecited to them the 
exciting adventures of mv day’s hunt ou Mt, Vande- 
Wacker. 
#4 
THE NATURAL AND ECONOMIC HIS¬ 
TORY OF THE SALMONIDAE—GEO¬ 
GRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION AND 
ARTIFICIAL CULTURE. 
SO. NINE. 
BY PHILO icm-HYoa. 
T HE experiments of M. Vraski iu artificial fecunda¬ 
tion would seem to establish the tact that much 
more milt is used than is necessary. It Is quite probable 
that a more careful study of embryology will establish the 
subtile properties of llie spermatazoids, that they have 
such inherent power, and affinity fot the ova that the in¬ 
ception of the n,inutest of these life-giving atoms into llte 
egg is all-sufficient for its perfect vitalization. Mr. Thad- 
deus Norris makes pertinent mention in his “American 
Fish Culture” (page 54), of an experiment, in which Mr. 
Stephen Ainsworth, one of the pioneer fish culturists of 
our country, fertilized as many eggs as would cover the 
bottom of his pan with a single drop of milt. Spallanzani, 
the celebrated Italian embryologist and naturalist, records 
a similar instance of ova being vitalized with an infinites- 
rnal quantity of male sperm. We need no better evidence 
than we can glean from the natural method of fecundation 
upon the spawning bed in the native streams where fishes 
breed that a minute quantity only is needed. It will also 
illustrate a fact that the endowment or the male of a 
superabundance of sperm is necessary when used upou 
the spawning beds, for more is borne away by the cur¬ 
rent than is lodged upon the ova, and the utilized portion 
must descent! upon the eggs in a greatly diluted condition, 
Instances occur when the milt of the male is entirely de¬ 
void of vitalizing properties, barren, so to speak, aud it 
can only be distinguished from that of the prolific males 
by the aid of a microscope, which develops an absence of 
active spermatozoa. It often happens that whole broods 
thus escape fecundation, which can only be positively as¬ 
certained after the eggs have been ten days upon the hatch¬ 
ing boxes, the Jack of vitality being known by the ab- 
scence of the volatile movement of globules. Before leav¬ 
ing this question, it is well to advise the use of the milt to 
tile extent of rendering the water opalescent, or of a pearly 
hue, until experiments determine how much or how little 
is necessary for the establishment of vitality. We know, 
by experiments, that a drop of sperm in a half pint of 
water exhibits countless spermatozoids, when a single drop 
of the dilution is put between two pieces of plate-glass and 
placed under a microscope ot high power. These vital 
atoms may be seen moving rapidly in every direction, evinc¬ 
ing of themselves au inherent power to the extent that 
only a small particle is requisite to impart life to the em¬ 
bryo. After the eggs are permitted to absorb a sufficient 
quantity of the spermalozoids, more or less, during the pro¬ 
cess of absorption the water iu the pan should be kept at 
an equable temperature, probably at 50°. No very great 
baste should be manifested in moving the eggs from the 
pan to the hatching troughs or trays. The process of itn 
pregnation is but a brief (me, whether the wet or dry 
method is used. Embryologists, however, aver that the 
eggs are very easily injured if moved too soon. There¬ 
fore, when the temperature of the water iu which they are 
still left can be easily maintained, a half hour or more of rest 
should be allowed the eggs before spreading them in the 
trays for incubation. After ample time lias been given, 
and after thorough rinsing of the eggs they may be put 
into the trays. The washing is not absolutely necessary 
for the health of the spawn, but is resorted to more par¬ 
ticularly for the reason that the opacity imparted by the 
milt is removed that the operator may see his way more 
clearly. The eggs should be so placed upon the grills of 
the trays that they do not lie one upon another. Great 
care must be manifested at first in handling the embryos, 
for any jar or knock will destroy them, while the initial 
vital processes are being exerted, which, in lime, if care is 
taken, results iu the development of the living fish. When 
the work of development progresses a little farther these 
germs of future fishes may be moved with impunity, even 
committed to the tender mercies (?) of au expvessmaa for 
(lie purpose of journeying across the continent, or around 
the world. When the eggs arc laid down for hatching 
upon their natal beds, no disturbing noises, jars, pounding, 
or hammering should be allowed within the hatching- 
house, for the concussion during the first stages of incuba¬ 
tion will, no doubt, result in the destruction of large num¬ 
bers of the ova. Upon their natural spawning grounds 
there is no noise, jarring or commotion, only the gentle 
and ceaseless rhythm of the waters is murmured, as the 
lullaby song of nature that attends upon their protracted 
transformation, and ushers the liny being into life. It is a 
singular yet a persistent feature of ova life tkat cannot be 
ignored, that they will not bear transportation at a very- 
early period aftu impregnation; a small percentage only 
will survive even a short journey at len days after fecun¬ 
dation. We have, we trust, made this portion of our sub¬ 
ject so plain that auy intelligent person may full v compre¬ 
hend if, and be able, with care, to practice all of the de¬ 
tails of artificial fecundation. We will suppose tkat suf¬ 
ficient spawn has been procured to fill the hatching appa¬ 
ratus of the ample hatching house long since delineated 
and di scribed. Not only did we provide an abundance of 
trays and troughs, but a supply of pure cold water suf¬ 
ficient for every emergency, to be had simply by turning a 
stop cock at lbe head of the hatchery, where the water 
had been subjected to repeated straining ere it could flow 
over the many thousands of ova placed in trays for incu¬ 
bation. The responsibility of the fish farmer really begins 
when the eggs are put down for batching. Be a prudent 
man non-, and do not “count your chickens before they arc 
hatched.” Fislt farming has its besetments and drawbacks, 
and ihey really begin with the first practical business con¬ 
nected with the art. Every occupation bus its peculiar 
embarrassments, and those men who meet these expected 
difficulties with msnliness, skill, and perseverance, with 
such measures and appliances as are calculated to overcome 
them most speedily are the men whogrow strong and efficient 
in their chosen pursuits, and succeed. In fish culture the 
truth of that old adage is strikingly exemplified daily. “A 
stitch in time saves nine.” In Ihe first place, the hatching 
boxes,as has already been hinted, shouldhecovered with wire 
screens, or thick board covers, to keep out rats and mice, 
lor they are especially fond of spawn, and are the bane of 
the fish farmer. Poison, judiciously managed, will soon 
rid the establishment of Ihese marauders. Sunlight should 
be excluded from the buildiug, or toned down to~ twilight. 
A small bull’s-eye lantern, or one furnished with a suit¬ 
able reflector, will greatly aid in the constant labor required 
in connection with hatching. Bead spawn soon show them¬ 
selves, and the practiced eye will soon detect them from 
their peculiar dead 'jphite contrasted with the pearly living 
white of the healthy eggs. Remove them at once. 
It is quite difficult to remove eggs with the fingers, as 
they are slippery and elude the grasp; hence numerous in¬ 
struments have been deviled for their removal. The best 
instrument in use is a wooden foreep or pincer, which eatl 
be easily shaped by an ingenious whiitler, and it is so light 
that the fingers will not tire in using it. The mandibles 
have each small cavities, and this simple instrument is re¬ 
ally a valuable acquisition for this business. Some fislt oul- 
turials have pincers with pointed blades, pipetts and spoon¬ 
shaped scoops, the latter to be placed under the egg, which 
is lo be thrown out with a dexterous turn of the wrist. 
1 ltc.se last mentioned instruments arc clumsy, even if com¬ 
pared with the woodou foreep. Dr, Wlack invented the 
bulb syringe, which lias been adopted by many of our fish 
culturists, and he claimed for it that it Is the most perfect 
instrument in use. He avers that 150 dead spawn were re¬ 
moved from a tray in one minute with jone of these instru¬ 
ments. In the meantime the eggs should bo carefully turned 
by means of a feather, so that the current of water may act 
upon the whole surface of the ova, aud in carefully turn¬ 
ing them from time to time, the byssvs, or fungoid disease, 
may be more readily discovered—the bane aud terror of 
all pisciculturists, a devastating blight, a pestilence so 
stubborn and defiant that it often attacks and destroys 
whole crops of eggs, and worst of all, there is no halm in 
Gilead, no physician there that can stay its march, unless 
the bold procedure of washing tiff the fungus with sand 
and water, as resorted to liy Mr. John G-, ‘Woodbury, an 
assistant of Mr. Livingston Stone's at the United States es¬ 
tablishment On the McCloud River, Cal. His method was 
to put a lew hundred diseased eggs in a pail partly filled 
with water, in which was dropped a handful of fine river 
sand. Upon holding the pitil containing the eggs and sand 
under a stream ot water, the whirling sand being brought 
tulo contact witli the whirling eggs, so constantly aud rapid- 
ly, and vet so geutly, that in a few minutes the fungus 
was entirely removed aud cleansed from the eggs, while 
the eggs were not in the least injured. It is a tedious pro¬ 
cess, and would bea herculean task to treat several hundred 
thousand eggs in this manner; hut the expedient will pay, 
rather thau abandon tiie whole crop to the ravages ami cer¬ 
tain death, which would speedily ensue from the inexora¬ 
ble fungus. This vegetative growth is of a filamentous char¬ 
acter, aud gives the eggs attacked tile appearance of mi¬ 
nute halls of cotton. If the first infested egg is not re¬ 
moved, it will soou be communicated to Others, and at 
once a focus of contagion is established, from which it 
spreads, as from a common centre, until all are involved 
in the common ruin. The dead eggs should be daily re¬ 
moved, then no neucleus of coniagiou nan form. 
The study of embryology, so conspicuously a part of 
fish culture, is a subject of more than usual inteiest to a 
person having an investigating turn of mind. If llte mys¬ 
terious processes incident to embryo life wore more critic¬ 
ally studied from the first day of incubatiou until the mer¬ 
gence of the fish, many valuable discoveries might yet be 
made of great consequence to the fish farmer. The ex¬ 
pression of Ariatolle —omne vivum ex ovo —was crowned 
long ago by the iamentod Agassiz with new aud fresh lau¬ 
rels, that will tend to preserve the adage as one of ihe truest 
utterances since the advent of the race. If we examine 
tile egg when first placed in the tray, under a microscope 
of average power, it will be found to be filled with a gela¬ 
tinous substance very nearly corresponding to the albumen 
of other eggs, on which float infinitesimal granules and oil 
globules. Wo versatile arc these minute elements, that if 
wo turn the eggs in aoy direction they quickly aud invari¬ 
ably rise to I lie top. On the second day a separation may 
be seen to have lakcn place between tbe yolk and albumen, 
when the granules and globules will be fouua to have ag¬ 
gregated themselves into a miuute drop or vesicle tu the 
centre of the egg surrounded by a transparent zone iu 
wliieh it floats. This is the first indication of a germ whose 
composition is of very delicate cells, uud is the primum 
