196 WAITE 
should be tagged and at once forwarded to head quarters for 
examination. I would further suggest that a schedule be drawn 
up and copies placed in the hands of all the masters of trawlers 
with the request that it be filled up as regularly and carefully 
as the ship’s log. It is not to be expected that all the trawling 
masters would comply with the request, but some useful informa- 
tion would certainly result. Among the more important subjects 
of inquiry we should endeavour to learn:—(1)The different 
kinds of flatfishes inhabiting the several localities, and the 
extent of the grounds peopled by each kind; (2) their relative 
abundance at different seasons; (3) their migrations and the 
reason for such, whether for breeding, or questions of food, 
temperature, ete.; (4) the nature of the food; (5) the spawning 
season; and (6) the development of the ova. The last named 
could be supplemented by observations made in the laboratory, 
and as we already possess such an institution in the Marine 
Biological Station, at Portobello, there is no reason why a very 
complete set of observations should not be made. These 
schedules would be regularly sent to those entrusted with the 
work, and the information being collated, our knowledge would in 
time be greatly extended. We should then be in a position to 
determine how best to improve our source of fish food, whether 
by working certain grounds at the best season or by artificial 
propagation, and by rearing and planting the young fry im 
localities known to be suitable for their further development. 
A reading of the local literature relating to the flatfishes, 
together with information supplied by Christchurch fish dealers 
and others, indicates that the following names are in use for 
our commercial species. Black Flounder, Brill, Flounder, 
Grass Flounder, Greenback, Lemon Sole, Mahoa, Megrim, Patiki, 
Sand Flounder, Sole, Three corner, Tinplate, Turbot, Witch, and 
Yellow-belly. 
As, however, it is improbable that this list is exhaustive, I 
shall be pleased to receive communications on the subject, but 
must ask any correspondent to forward the specimen to which 
he refers, as otherwise no absolute decision can be given. 
The trivial nomenclature is very involved; a certain species 
may be known by several common names, and, on the other 
hand, a given name may be applied to two or more species, thus 
Flounder, Sand Flounder, Three corner and Tinplate are names 
all applied to Rhombosolea plebeia. The name Brill has been 
used to designate Caulopsetta scapha and Ammotretis guntheri. 
Some of the names are only found in books and seem never to 
have been current among the fishing community or the public. 
It is probable that the names in use vary in different districts, 
as in Britain, an undesirable condition, but one somewhat difficult 
to remedy. No law except that of usage can operate in respect 
