45 
Crustacea. 
Of Crustacea, we have only attempted to bring for our bay, the 
English crab and lobster, most excellent additions to our table, which 
were shipped by our indefatigable friend, Mr. L. Mackinnon, of 
The Argus. They would undoubtedly thrive well, if we once had 
them across the tropics, but those first sent have died on the 
voyage, without our having been able to ascertain the exact cause of 
the faiHre. We shall try again, and endeavour to secure the services 
of an attendant, who may feed and mind them, with some other 
shipments. The large Murray lobster (Polamobius serratus) has 
now been succcessfully acclimatised in the Yarra. 
Mollusca. 
Of the lower invertebrate animals, the mollusca, as represented by 
the oyster, have engaged the attention of the Society during the 
year, and the measures suggested for the preservation of the oyster- 
beds on our coasts, have been partially adopted by the Government 
with beneficial results ; and in the coming year the experience ac¬ 
quired by the French Government in the formation of the artificial 
oyster-beds, and the preservation of the young, will be applied as far 
as in our power to the extension and improvement of those on our 
own coasts. Attempts will also be made to introduce the Sydney 
species. 
Fishes. 
The British Salmon has been the subject of most encouraging, 
although unsuccessful experiments by the Society, and it is almost 
certain that we shall shortly succeed in establishing this invaluable 
fish, first in the Tasmanian rivers, and then in those of Gipps’ Land, 
the temperature of which, has been found to be sufficie ntly low to suit 
the fish well. Two shipments of ova were made and no expense or care 
was spared. The mechanical arrangements were excellent, and a 
large supply of ice was laid in to maintain a supply of sufficiently cool 
fresh water while passing the tropics. The first shipment was in the 
“ S. Curling,” under the care of Mr. A. Black, and the second in the 
“ Beautiful Star,” under the care of Mr. Itamsbottom. In each case the 
ova survived in perfect health for a number of days, equal to an or¬ 
dinary passage and they only died when the supply of ice became 
exhausted ; so that by having a larger supply of ice and selecting 
a faster vessel we are confident of success in our attempts to import 
the ova, and from the perfection to which the art of pisciculture 
