THE CALIFORNIAN SALMON. 
141 
“ The night had been cool throughout, and the tempera- 
ture in the cans had never exceeded 53 deg. Fahr. There 
was, therefore, no 'need to use the ice, which had been 
supplied liberally by the Melbourne Ice Company, in aid 
of the experiment. 
“The river temperature was found not to exceed 55 
deg. in the warmest place. 
“ The anxious time had arrived to ascertain how many 
fish were left alive, after so many had been removed when 
dead. The journey had been hastened, so as to give a 
chance to some of the fish to reach their destination alive. 
“ Counting them carefully, we placed 1500 live fish in 
various parts of the river. 
“ Each lot was about 100 in number, and as the little 
swimmers found themselves at large in their new home, 
they moved about, as if wonderingly, but not in fear, and 
then gradually took their course in the shallows near the 
bank, in every case making their way up the stream. 
“ The river was clear, and running with a strong current, 
over a sandy bed, through a valley overhung with immense 
gum trees, blackwood trees, and other growth. Eern 
trees were growing near the stream. 
“ Mr. Needham, one of the few residents in the neigh- 
bourhood, met the coach on its arrival, and kindly assisted 
in carrying the cans, and placing the fish in the river. He 
stated that the only fish caught in that part of the river 
were fine black-fish and a few eels. The swift-swimming 
salmon have, therefore, nothing to fear from such sluggish 
neighbours. 
“ In passing various watercourses, I found the residents 
in the neighbourhood anxious to have some of the fish left 
at each ; but as there was a doubt whether the sea could 
be reached by the fish, if left at such places, I was com- 
pelled to carry all which could be kept alive to the Latrobe 
