31b Transactions. — Zoology. 



two species. Another is said to be an inhabitant of the creeks 

 of Queensland ; but this is doubtful. Eastwards the same 

 genus is met with again in the southernmost parts of America 

 (Falkland Islands, Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego), whence three 

 species are known ; and finally a minute form is said to occur 

 in Chile. The occurrence of the same natural genus of fresh- 

 water fishes in Australia, New Zealand, and South America 

 would appear to be significant enough, and must be the more so 

 when we find that even one and the same species (Galaxias 

 attenuatus) inhabits the fresh waters of countries separated 

 at present by the South Pacific Ocean." 



Two species of this fish have been figured, as they are 

 most frequently met w r ith, and illustrate the greatest variety 

 of external form which the genus presents in New Zealand. 

 The kokopu proper is a fat, sluggish fish found lurking under 

 stones and rotten logs in all the streams in the coiony, how- 

 ever small, where not running over a clear or stony bottom. 

 They afford very tame sport, but are fair eating, resembling 

 the eel in flavour. 



The other species (G. attenuatus), which is the adult form 

 of the true whitebait of New Zealand, it is proposed to distin- 

 guish as the New Zealand minnow. It is a little fish con- 

 stantly seen in most clear running streams, with very much 

 the same habits as the English minnow. At certain seasons 

 the young fry swarm in incredible numbers, and form the 

 whitebait of New Zealand, but are a very poor substitute for 

 the little herring that is so well known at Greenwich by that 

 name. At Taupo Lake and other places in the interior small 

 fish, which the Maoris collectively term ••inanga." but which 

 are chiefly of the species now referred to, form the food of the 

 natives for many months in the year, and are obtained in such 

 abundance as to yield an ample supply both for daily use and 

 to preserve for other seasons. These small fish are caught, 

 where streams enter the lake, with fine-meshed nets woven of 

 green flax. Several bushels of them are frequently caught at 

 one time, and are immediately piled on hot stones, and 

 covered with mats and earth for half an hour or so, in the 

 usual manner of Maori cookery, but without the addition of 

 any water. Thus prepared, if not for immediate use, they are 

 firmly packed in tightly plaited baskets, and in this state will 

 keep for months, at least sufficiently well to suit the Maori 

 taste, which is not fastidious. 



The young of any of the following freshwater fishes may 

 be taken as whitebait, but probably at different seasons and 

 in varying localities, viz. : — 



1. Salmonoids. — (a.) Grayling (Prototroctes). (b.) Smelt 

 {Retropmna) . 



