Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 07.djvu/741

FISH CULTURE. spout, carrying with it the young as they emerge from the eggs.

Adhesive eggs, like those of the smelt, are first mixed with starch or ‘muck,’ to deprive them of their glutinous properties, after which they are handled like other heavy or semi-buoyant eggs.

. The successful rearing of fry to later stages was for a long time a problem difficult of solution. This has now, however, been perfected with certain species, like the salmon and trout, to a very high degree. The kind and quantity of water and food and the prevention of diseases are the main points to consider. A large quantity of water at a low temperature is one of the essentials to rapid and healthy growth of most species, particularly the salmon and trouts. Limited numbers are put in long rearing troughs—usually the same in which they were hatched—and a large volume of water is introduced in one end. The fry when first hatched have a large yolk-bag which supplies them with food for four or five weeks. About a week before the entire yolk is absorbed they are moved from the trays into rearing troughs. The time to begin feeding them must be ascertained by trial. If hungry they will rise to a minute particle of food thrown on the surface of the water. At first it is essential to feed them at frequent intervals, and the quantity at a given time must be carefully gauged to prevent them from gorging themselves and to prevent any excess of food from decaying in the water. Liver chopped to very fine particles is the food commonly used. Later the amount of care necessary grows less, so that one meal per day suffices. Larvæ of flies and various crustacea are then fed to them, and when the fish reaches a considerable size coarsely chopped-up beef and fish constitute the main food.

Eggs are not equally hardy at all stages of development. At the time when the eyes begin to show their pigment, or the eggs are ‘eyed,’ they are usually transported. This is done in trays, the eggs being properly covered and surrounded by sphagnum moss and kept at a low temperature. This permits the eggs to be transported for thousands of miles without any serious losses. Temporary hatching troughs are built in places out of the way, yet favorable for collecting eggs. The eggs are carried to the ‘eyed’ stage, and can then be safely transported to more commodious quarters for further development. The United States Fish Commission owns four cars especially equipped and exclusively used for the transportation of eggs and young fishes. They are supplied with tanks and cans and suitable means for aërating the water and controlling the temperature.

. United States Fish Commission annual Reports (Washington, 1871 et seq.); United States Fish Commission Bulletins (Washington, 1882 et seq.); Atkin, Chamberlain, and others, “Manual of Fish Culture,” in annual Report of the United States Fish Commission for 1897 (Washington, 1898); Day, Fish Culture (London, 1883); Maitland, On the Culture of Salmonidæ and the Acclimatization of Fish (London, 1883); Gobin, La pisciculture en eaux douces (Paris, 1889); Gobin, La pisciculture en eaux salées (Paris, 1891); Max von dem Borne, Fischzucht (Berlin, 1881).  FISHER, or. The largest (except the wolverine) of the fur-bearing carnivores of the weasel family (Mustelidæ) called in books Pennant's marten (Mustela Pennanti). It is found in forested and uncivilized parts of Canada and the Northern United States, where it formerly ranged southward to Tennesee. It is about thirty inches long, besides the tail which is twelve inches or so more. In color it is chiefly black, often with gray or brown tints toward the head. It is a fierce nocturnal animal, living chiefly on birds and small quadrupeds, and having the general habits of the marten. Its fur in winter is good, and is much used in Europe. The black tail was once a favorite ornament to the caps of the Polish Jews. It is called by the trappers pekan, wejack, or perhaps more commonly black-cat. The name ‘fisher’ is said to be due to the fondness of the animal for the fish with which early trappers baited their marten-traps, but more probably arose from misunderstanding of its habits, or confusion with the mink. It is a great nuisance to marten-trappers whatever bait they use, but is itself taken without difficulty in large traps baited with meat. Consult Coues, Fur-bearing Animals (Washington, 1877).  FISH′ER, (1808-80). A Canadian statesman, born in New Brunswick, Canada. In 1837 he entered the Provincial Cabinet. He was a member of the Executive Council from 1848 to 1857, was a commissioner to consolidate and codify the statute law of the province in 1852, and was Attorney-General from 1854 to 1861 and again in 1866. In 1867 he attended the conference of the representatives of British North America in London, which arranged the terms of union.  FISHER, (1816-91). A comedian who began his career in England, but after 1852 was connected with the American stage. He was born in Suffolk, of a theatrical family, and made his debut in 1844 at the Princess's Theatre, London. He came to this country to join William E. Burton, making his first appearance here as Ferment in The School of Reform. His subsequent active life was spent in three companies: with Burton from 1852 to 1861, Wallack from 1861 to 1872, and Daly from 1872 to 1890, when he retired. His most characteristic and noted part was Triplet, in Masks and Faces, others of his best being Sir Peter Teazle, Jaques in As You Like It, and Graves in Money. He was tall and dignified in appearance and an admirable player of old men. He died in New York. Consult Hutton, in Famous American Actors of To-Day, ed. by McKay and Wingate (New York, 1896).  FISHER, (1811-98). A popular actress; after 1834 the wife of the composer J. G. Maeder. She was born in London, July 14, 1811, and first made a sensation on the boards of Drury Lane when she was about six years old (December 10, 1817) as Lord Flimnap, the Prime Minister of Lilliput, and in a part in Richard III. After ten years of prosperity in various British theatres, her precocious versatility showing itself even in such an ill-chosen role as that of Shylock, she came with her family to America, where she made her appearance late in 1827. Her charms, both as an actress and as a singer, were largely those of manner. Ophelia and Viola were her best Shakespearean parts, and as Lady Teazle she