EIJIJU.E FISIIKS. ] ]9 



'jy. Sand Eicu 



{Gonorhynchus Grei/l). This curioiisly foimctl fish is remavkablo for 

 its eel-like shape and projecting snout, from beneath which its mouth pro- 

 trudes like a sucker. It is caught with the net on the shallow banks 

 near the entrance to the Hutt River, and is generally brought to market 

 in summer along with the common Gar Fish or Half Beak. I have 

 never heard of its being caught in other parts of the colony, but as it 

 has a wide range in the southern seas, it is likely to occur elsewhere. 

 The flesh of the Sand Eel is firm, of a white colour, and very delicate 

 flavour. It is in no way related to the Eel family, but was placed by 

 Richardson, who first described the fish, as closely allied to the Carps. 

 The drawing, PI. X. fig. 98, is from a specimen of ordinary size, measuring 

 16 inches in length. 



Another fish, caught in considerable numbers in Wellington Har- 

 bour {Ilemeroccetes amntliorhyiichus ISTo. 50), chiefly with the hook from 

 the jetty, is often also called the Sand Eel, but is inferior to the last- 

 mentioned fish both in flavour and size. Both fishes are coloured with 

 varied i-ed, purple, and blue markings, and are remarkably beautiful 

 when alive, 



lUO, Pilchard, or Sardine, 'do-^ia^T^ 



{Glupea sac/ax), PI. XI, tig. 100. This is the true representative of 

 the Herring kind in these seas, and it is reported to visit the east coast 

 of Otago every year in February and March, On the last occasion it was 

 observed that the shoal was migrating southwards, and extended as far as 

 the eye could reach, followed by a multitude of Gulls, Mutton Birds, 

 Barracoota, and Porpoises, So densely packed were they that by dip- 

 ping a ])itcher in the sea " it woidd contain half fi.sh, so that if larger 

 boats and suitable nets were employed thousands of tons could be 

 caught,* The fish referred to was identified as the above species from 

 mutilated specimens that were forwarded by M]-. W. D. Murison, and 

 judging from which they ajipear to be 6 or 7 inches in length, or similar 

 in size to the Sardine of the Mediterranean. The figure o-iven is 

 however, from a drawing of this species in a standard work. Another 

 fish of the same family, reported to occur in New Zealand, and exceed- 

 ingly abundant in Victoria according to Professor McCoy, is tlie 

 Anchovy (Etigraulis encrasicholits), being identical with the \\ell- 

 known Anchovy of commerce. This fish is easily distinguished from 

 • "Otago Daily Times," 



