EDIBLE FISHES. 109 



met witli, except in the sounds on the West Coast, wliere it abounds on 

 steep banks formed wliere the mountain toiTeuts dischai-ge into de(ij> 

 water. 



19. Frost Fish. 



The Frost Fish, or Hiku of the Maoris (Lepidopus caiidattis), is 

 esteemed the most delicious fish in New Zeakmd. It is most commonly 

 found cast up after cold frosty nights on sandy beaches that are exposed 

 to the long roll of ocean swell, and is not in this country obtained by 

 any kind of fishing. A veiy similar fish occurs, however, on the south 

 coast of England, and, according to Yarrell, is occasionally found entangled 

 in nets. The usual length of this fish is about 4 feet, but from its com- 

 pressed form it weighs only aljout 41bs. The Frost Fish is more frequently 

 brought to market in Dunedin than elsewhere in this Colony, and gener- 

 ally fetches 2s. Gd. per Bb., but during the winter months a considerable 

 number are picked up on the beach between the Otaki and Manawatu, and 

 brought to Wellington by the coach-drivers. On a still frosty morning 

 in Breaksea Sound on the west coast of Otago, I once saw what we 

 thought to be a Frost Fish skimming the sea in a toi'tuous course with 

 its back fin rippling the water, and e^ddently feeding on some prey that 

 it obtained near the surface ; but nothing is definitely known of the 

 habits of this singular fish, or why it should be cast up on the land, 

 the probability being that on the cahn nights when the sea is smooth 

 it pursues its prey too close to the shore, and is left by the long swell 

 during ebb tide. The specimen drawn, PI. III. fig. 19, was taken at 

 White's Bay in July, and measured 46 inches in length. 



20. Barracoota. 



A very common fish, allied to the foregoing, but inferior to it in 

 quality as food, is well known throughout the colonies as the Barracoota 

 [Thyrsites aticn), which name is no doubt borrowed from the Baracouda 

 Pike of the tropical parts of the Atlantic. This fish is a favourite Avith 

 the Maoris, who call it the Manga or Maka. They are obtained at all 

 seasons, but abound in the spring and autumn, and are easily caught 

 with a short piece of red wood having a nail di-iven through it 

 for a hook. This inide tackle is passed rapidly through the water along- 

 side the canoe or boat by a shoii; line and rod, and is eagerly grasped by 

 the fish, which is then jerked inboard. The usixal length of the Barra- 

 coota is 3 feet, and its weight 51bs. Its flesh is white and flaky, and by 



