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a few were found to have got into the crevices of the box in which 
they were confined, and thus became incarcerated without the fact 
being known, and the consequence was some dozen or so perished in 
that way. With that exception he was not aware of any deaths. 
They were in a large and commodious pond, with an abundance of 
running crystal water, so that it was impossible to doubt that an 
abundant success would result. He heartily congratulated the 
society on the spirit they had displayed in uniting with Tasmania in 
effecting a second importation of salmon, and that they had appro¬ 
priated the liberal sum of £400 for the purpose, and communicated 
with his excellent friend Mr. Youl, with a view to concert measures 
with him for obtaining an additional supply. He was not aware of the 
terms in which the partnership would bo entered into—what part 
would be taken by Victoria and what by Tasmania, but he was sure 
both would go on as harmoniously as before. Whatever this Society 
might decide upon — whether they proposed to retain a large portion 
of the ova in this colony and try their hands at hatching here, or 
whether they sent the greater part over to Tasmanian care, those in 
Tasmania would be equally ready to meet Victorian wishes in all 
respects. Probably he might take the opportunity of offering a 
little advice on the subject of the fish, but it would bo better to 
confide it to the Council rather than the Society generally, the 
former having, perhaps, the more practical knowledge. He was 
not aware that he could say more, but he should be happy to answer 
any questions. 
His Excellency asked what were the number of the salmon. 
Dr. Officer replied that they had been counted up to 3,000 or 
4,000, but he did not think that was nearly the number. As to the 
trout, which were confined in a much smaller compartment, no 
more than 120 fish had been counted for a long time, but when they 
got larger and came out to feed, there were found to be upwards of 
300. So with the salmon, he believed the number would be found 
larger than that originally calculated on. They had a wonderful 
art in concealing themselves. Frequently he had walked along the 
bank of the pond and not seen one, and another day they would be 
in shoals. They seemed to dart with the speed of lightning under 
any piece of stone, and so active and so vigilant were they, that he 
had no doubt they would be too quick for any enemy. No doubt, 
this time next year we should be catching them on their return trip 
from the ocean. Out of the whole number of ova, about 18,000 
were found to have been never impregnated, and he understood 
that when they were sent out there were some fears on that score. 
