112 EDIBLE FISHES. 



common on the soutli coast of England during the winter season. I 

 may mention as a guide to those who wish to secure this delicate fish, 

 that it Ls of similar predaeeous habits to the Barracoota, living on 

 the fry of other tish. The weight of the specimen figured, PI. IV. fig. 27, 

 was 61bs., the length being 22 inches. Small specimens |ft). in weight 

 ai'e not unfrequently brought to market in February. 



28. Boar Fish. 



The term Boar Fish {Cytlas australis) has been apjjlied to a fish of 

 which several specimens were cast up on the shore of Cook Strait during 

 the south-east gale of November last. They resemble the Dory some- 

 what in form and size, but are easily distingiiished by the I'ough skin 

 and the absence of the round black spot on the side. As this fish is 

 reported to be very inferior to the Dory as food, these characters should 

 be attended to in order to avoid disappointment. This species abounds 

 in the Melbourne market, according to Professor McCoy,* but only of 

 small size, and he applies the name Boar Fish to a different species 

 {Histiopteris recurvirostris, Bich.). PL V. fig. 28 is reduced one-sixth 

 from a specimen cast up in Cook Strait. 



31. Warehou. 



The Sea Bream {Xeptonemus Brama) is a fish deservedly prized by 

 the natives. In Wellington it appears in the market in October, and 

 continues at intervals during the whole summer, but the largest 

 specimens are seen in the north during the winter. It cannot be 

 considered a common fish, especially in the south, and according to the 

 natives, it is very irregular in its visits to the coast. Those brought to 

 Wellington weigh from 1 to 3Ibs., bvit in the north, outside Hokianga 

 Harbovir, they are sometimes obtained 3 feet in length, in which 

 case then- weight would not be less than 25 or 30Ibs. The flesh of 

 the Warehou is rich with a very delicate flavour, and they deserve to be 

 preferred to the Tarakihi and young Moki, along with which they are 

 generally sold in the market. PI. Y. fig. 31 is reduced one-sixth from 

 a specimen caught in Wellington Harbour last December. 



32. Mackerel. 



This valuable fish {Scomber australasicus) is only known to me from 

 two large hauls which were made in Wellington Harbour about the loth 

 December, 1870, but it appears to be the fish that is called by the natives 



• "Zoology of Victoria," Official Record of the Exhibition of 1867, p. 11. 



