246 Transactions. — Zoology. 



On the whole, I am inclined to think that, owing to our 

 geographical position and ocean surroundings, we are more 

 likely to be successful in introducing the forms of salmon 

 found in the northern Pacific than our old friend Salmo salar 

 of the Atlantic, which is a more delicate fish, and would 

 probably find difficulties in ocean surroundings so widely 

 different from those in its northern home. 



It has been urged that it is a pity to introduce fish which 

 do not, as a rule, give good sport in our rivers, though they 

 are excellent sporting fish in the sea and estuaries. I do not 

 think we need fear this at all. In introducing these fish 

 we are stocking the ocean with very valuable fish from a 

 commercial point of view; and I can see no reason why 

 several varieties of salmon should not flourish on our coasts, 

 and run up the rivers at different times of the year, as they 

 do in the western rivers in Canada and the United States, in 

 countless thousands. I believe, myself, that, owing to the 

 warmer ocean-currents striking the coasts of the North Island^ 

 the best salmon rivers will be in the South, and consider that 

 it will be good policy to endeavour to introduce the best 

 species of salmon found on the coasts of British Columbia, 

 Oregon, and California; and in doing so I think we shall 

 succeed in permanently establishing one or more of these 

 species, which will form a very valuable addition to the fishes 

 of New Zealand, as well as probably of Tasmania, and any 

 small islands to the south where there may be suitable 

 streams for spawning. 



VI. Salmo trutta, or Trout. 



A number of varieties of trout have from time to time been 

 introduced into New Zealand, such as Salmo fario, or brown 

 trout ; Salmo levenensis, or Loch Leven trout ; Salmo 

 samardii, variety, Scotch burn trout ; Salmo trutta, sewen, sea 

 trout, or white trout. Probably some of the ova originally 

 brought out was crossed more or less with a strain of the 

 Salmo eriox, or bull trout. 



All these fish are gradually accommodating themselves to 

 their new environment, and becoming very like the varieties 

 found in corresponding northern latitudes — say, in Switzer- 

 land and northern Italy. Our Lake Wakatipu trout are 

 almost identical with the trout I saw taken in the northern 

 Italian lakes in nearly similar latitudes, and very much alike 

 in their habits. 



I believe, myself, that the varieties and hybrids of Sal- 

 monidce, called " trout"' are merely one species, subject to an 

 immense amount of variation, many of the larger forms of 

 which seek their food, whenever conveniently situated, in the 

 ocean, and run up the rivers like salmon to perpetuate their 



