EDIBLE FISHES. 131 



" In conclusion I would cU-aw attention to the remarkable fact that 

 in numerous groups of fishes which live in mud, or are even enabled to 

 pass a longer or shorter time in soil periodically di-ied and hardened 

 during the hot season, forms occur entii"ely devoid of, or with only 

 rudimentary ventral fins. The chief function of these fins is to balance 

 the body of the fish whilst swimming ; and it is evident that in fishes 

 moving during a great part of their life over swampy ground, or through 

 more or less consistent mud, this function of the ventral fins ceases, and 

 that nature can readily dispense with these oi"gans altogether."* 



Since the discovery of the specimens described by Dr. Giinther others 

 have been found at Hokitika, and also at Rangitikei in the North 

 Island, by the Hon. Mr. Fox, and many of these I have succeeded in 

 keeping alive for several months in pure water, and found the eyes 

 of specimens of all sizes were soon fully develojued, and that the sense 

 of sight became quite as acute as in other fishes. 



Wherever this cuxious fish has been found it is always buried in the 

 mud, and it is singular that it should have such a wide distribution if 

 it does not also exist in the neighbouring rivers. 



With reference to the absence of the ventral fins in this fish, I may 

 mention that in every case the specimens in confinement have sickened 

 after some months, and for many weeks before they die they disjilay an 

 inability to remain at the bottom of the tank, which is theii* usual place, 

 but float gently to the surface, tail first, in the most helpless fashion, as 

 if they were only able to maintain a horizontal position by a constant 

 efibrt with the tail, which at last weai'ies them out. PI. X. fig. 97 is 

 one-half the natural size of the fish. 



Eels. 



Several species of the Eel are found in the New Zealand rivers, those 

 figured in PI. XI. figs. 102 and 104 {Angullla aucMandi, andvl. australis), 

 being the most common. The former grows to a very large size, and is 

 largely used by the natives and persons living in the remote districts for 

 food, but is rarely sold in the towns. The quality of the flesh of the 

 Eel differs gi'eatly in different streams, and there ai-e some singular facts 

 respecting its distribution which are not yet fully understood. Thus, 

 Eels ai'e not found in Taupo Lake, although they aie common in streams 

 only a few miles distant that flow direct to the sea by the Eangitaiki 

 River. The natives have repeatedly carried Eels across this gap in the 

 hope of acclimatising them to the waters of the lake, but they are never 

 again seen. Mr. W. T. L. Ti*avers has directed attention to a similar 

 • " Aimals of Nat. Hist.," Nov. 1867. 



