BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 19 
Mid 6 parts water. This food is so fine that it can be absorbed or im- 
bibed by the fish without any effort or unnatural exercise of their 
ligestive functions: Moreover, the food is readily consumed by them, 
and it is not ejected, as is the case with liver and roe. 
The results previously attained in the endeavor to acclimate certain 
varieties of American Salmonidce encourage the association to continue 
its efforts in this direction. The original list of transatlantic forms for 
introduction, which after all bear a striking resemblance to their cousins 
on this side of the Atlantic, has undergone considerable modification, 
and is limited to the really valuable food-producing forms whose pres- 
ence in Engish waters cannot prove prejudicial to indigenous fish, but. 
on the contrary, may become an important acquisition in developing 
inland and populating barren waters. The following species would, it 
is believed, prove of undoubted value: Rainbow trout, Salmo irideus ; 
landlocked salmon, Salmo sebago ; and whitefish, Coregonus albus. 
It is with reluctance that we omit from this list the American brook 
trout, Salmo fontinalis, which has had an excellent chance of asserting 
its qualifications for introduction into our group of Salmonidce , but lias 
failed to do so, except in confined waters. Its first appearance in this 
country was heralded with jubilant anticipations 5 its capacities for rapid 
growth were hailed as a good omen, and its gorgeous dress and grace- 
ful form won golden opinions from all piscatorial classes, who willingly 
paid large sums of money for what was then considered the coming 
trout. Gradually, however, its true character appeared, and now it is 
universally regarded as a fish not to be depended upon. No authority 
rebuts the evidence forthcoming as to its suitability to British waters, 
if inclosed, nor as to its value as an addition to our fresh- water fish. 
The sole cause, and a very grave cause it is, for its denunciation is 
that it escapes from those places where it is turned in. Before finally 
discarding this unique char it behooves us to question more closely 
than we have yet done its habits, instincts, and the nature of its native 
home, in order to render it full justice. Probably the waters in which 
it has been placed have not been suitable, and this assumption certainly 
seems justified by the fact of the fish wandering as it does. The ques- 
tion naturally arises as to where it goes. Does it find suitable places 
in its wanderings ? Does it descend to the sea, or does it pine and 
perish for lack of natural conditions ? If death explains the mystery, 
which is hardly likely, we have at once a solution 5 but if not, it is diffi- 
cult to say what has become of the thousands turned out into our En- 
glish streams. In America the brook trout is regarded as a home-loving 
fish, therefore it seems somewhat likely that we have not yet provided 
the domestic comforts to which it is habituated. The suggestion, at 
least, is worth studying, and the association still has these fish under 
culture, not being convinced of their unsuitability for inclosed waters. 
London, England, April , 1887. 
