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young or small fry which swim near the surface — princi- 

 pally sprats, anchovies, &c. ; although they are so swift and 

 rapacious that even the English *' Sea Trout" and other 

 large fish fall a ready prey to them. In the absence of the 

 still more terrible Kin gfish {T.Solandri), they reign supreme 

 amongst the scale fishes; their strong jaws, armed with 

 terrible looking teeth, rendering them a most formidable 

 enemy. The fishermen usually take the Barracouta by a 

 rude instrument, first used it is believed by the Maories, 

 and termed a "jig." The jig is simply a long stick, from 

 the extremity of which a wire or cord is suspended, armed 

 with a double hook attached to a small block of wood. 

 Upon these hooks a bit of colored cloth, or the skin of a 

 shark, may be attached. When the fish are about they 

 may be jigged aboard with wonderful rapidity while the 

 vessels are sailing at any speed. Great quantities are thus 

 caught and brought to m.arket, M'here they are much 

 esteemed, and, for a limited quantity, command a ready 

 sale. The local market, however, is so limited, that it is 

 easily overstocked ; and, although a large quantity is ex- 

 j)orted, there is not sufficient demand to encourage the 

 fishermen to extend the supply. 



There appears to be no systematic curing establishments, 

 where large quantities might be profitably disposed of. 

 Dr. Hector states that dried Barracouta are imported into 

 the Mauritius and Balavia as a regular article of commerce, 

 being worth £\1 per ton. This being the case, I am 

 surprised that a trade in this fish, which can be got in the 

 neighbourhood of Hobart almost in unlimited quantities, is 

 not more systematically and extensively carried out. The 

 fish usually measures about three feet long, and averages 

 8 lbs. in weight. Fishermen say that it would pay them if 

 3^. a dozen could always be got for them, i.e., under \d. 

 per lb. Surely with such a fine fish as this better results 

 might be obtained. It is a reproach to our local enter- 

 prise when fishermen complain that '^ at times there are so 

 many caught that no price can be got for them." 



These remarks equally apply to the next important 

 member of this genus, the Tasmanian 'K.mg^sli {T.Solandri). 

 This species appears upon our Southern coasts, at times in 

 immense numbei-s, the height of the season being May and 

 June. Three fishermen have frequently been known to 

 capture over 40 dozen of these fish in a single night, each 

 fish averaging 12 to 14 lbs. in weight. The principal fishing 

 grounds for this important fish are Recherche, Wedge 

 Island, and Adventure Bay. The individual fishes resemble 

 the Barracouta, but may be easily recognised by their 



