EDIBLE FISHES. 



106 



numerous. Swimming bladder larger than the stomach, distended to a diameter 

 of one-fourth its length. 



Dimensions of specimen caught 8th February, 1S72, in Wellington Harbour, 

 now in the Museum ; weight 601bs. : — 



This flsli (Arri2ns salar) is frequently termed the native Salmon, 

 from its elegant form and lively habits, in which it resembles the true 

 .Salmon. During the summer months these fish — which reach the weight 

 of 7Bbs., but are more usual from 2 to 3ft)s., visit the coast in gi-eat 

 shoals, especially frequenting the mouths of streams. They afford good 

 sport to the angler, as they rise to an artificial fly, and are readily taken 

 at sea with spoon bait. When of large size the flesh is rather dry and 

 tasteless, but the young fish, when under lib. in weight, and quite fresh, 

 are very delicate and well flavoured, especially when boiled in water 

 acidulated with vinegar. In the early stage of their growth they are 

 spotted on the sides like trout, but with fainter colours. It is one 

 of the early fishes in spring, at which season it follows voraciously 

 the young fry of the Aua, or Sea Mullet. In the autumn Mr. Ingles 

 reports that they follow the " Grit," or Wliale-feed, which is chiefly 

 a small Shrimp that swarms in the sea at that season to such an 

 extent that it extends as far as the eye can reach, and may be shovelled 

 up into boats so as to form a most valuable manure. The Kahawai 

 ajipears to be a migi'atory fish, avoiding only that portion of the coast 

 that is washed by the cold south-east current. PI. I. fig. 2 is reduced 

 one-fifth from the size of a full grown Kahawai caught in December. 

 O 



