28 BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
11.-LOCH IiEVK!\' TROUT INTRODUCED M THE UNITE® STATES. 
By CflABLES W. §MILE¥. 
The first importation of Loch Leven trout eggs to the U. S. Fish 
Commission, and, so far as I am informed, to the United States, was 
made through the courtesy of Sir J. Ramsay Gibson Maitland, Bart., 
the proprietor of the Howietoun fishery, Stirling, Scotland. This trout 
has succeeded finely in streams in the south of England, though lacking 
the superb flavor of those bred in Loch Leven. 
On November 12, 1884, a lot of Loch Leven trout eggs was taken 
at the Howietoun hatchery from fish which were hatched in 1876. These 
were packed under the direction of Mr. Guy in six cases, as follows : Each 
box contained six trays, and each tray three layers. Each layer contained 
950 eggs, making a total of 102,000. On top of each box was a tray 
for ice and containing moss or sawdust. In unpacking, the moss in 
the trays which had been felted by machinery is rolled back (not lifted) 
and if this is done carefully no eggs adhere to the moss. The muslin 
on which the eggs lie is then lifted out by two persons holding the four 
corners tight. It was not intended that the eggs should be repacked at 
New York. If the eggs had remained in the hatchery and hatched 
normally they would mature in seventy-two days or about the 22d of 
January, but with the cold packing it was believed that the hatching 
would be retarded until the first week in February. 
The six cases were sent to Liverpool by way of Glasgow, the latter 
place being only one hour distant from Howietoun. At Liverpool 
Messrs. Henderson Brothers took charge of the cases and consigned 
them, freight free, per steamship Furnessia, of the Anchor line. On 
January 1, 1885, the Furnessia arrived in New York Harbor, but the 
custom-house being closed in consequence of its being New-year’s Day 
nothing could be done to remove the eggs until January 2. Mr. Fred 
Mather had already effected an arrangement with the New York cus- 
tom-house, with the aid of Mr. George Hilliar, for the prompt delivery 
of the eggs in order that he might promptly transfer them from the ice- 
room of the Furnessia to the Cold Spring Harbor hatchery. The eggs 
reached the hatchery at 8 o’clock that evening, January 2, where they 
remained over Sunday. On opening, the eggs were found to be in ex- 
cellent condition, there being but a small number dead and but few 
indented. The method of packing was found to be most admirable, and 
the boxes, 3 by 2 by 2 feet, were of the most substantial nature. Each 
contained a 3-inch air space between the box and lining. The lining had 
been charred. There was no trace of fungus in the lot. 
The trays were about 8 inches square and 5 inches deep. This ar- 
rangement economizes space and expense as well. The boxes were 
used by Mr. Mather a few days later for forwarding whitefish eggs to Ger- 
