Artuur.—On the Brown Trout introduced into Otago. 271 
Art. XXIV.—On the Brown Trout introduced into Otago. By W. Anruur,C.B. 
(Read before the Otago Institute, 9th July, 1878.) 
Plate XIII. 
Tue principal object of this paper is to put on record those facts which have 
been ascertained, connected with the acclimatization of trout in Otago. The 
present time is in many respects peculiarly suitable for observing how exotie 
plants and animals adapt themselves to the conditions of life in New Zealand, 
into which they have been recently introduced. It is equally true, and has 
been advoeated before now, that observations eonstant and careful should 
be undertaken by all the friends of science, on the effects of colonization 
upon the native flora and fauna; because the existing circumstances under 
which these are placed are in a state of progression and change, while the 
old conditions will soon be things of the past. So also with our trout, for 
in twenty years hence the banks of many streams, which at present in a 
state of nature supply certain food, will be cultivated and probably yield a 
totally different description of food, while-the trout themselves will be much 
more numerous and, I am afraid, of a smaller average weight. The 
opportunity can only occur once, of observing the immediate results of 
stocking any stream with trout. Therefore it seems to me a reasonable 
precaution to publish periodically an aecount of the progress of our know- 
ledge, and as a contribution towards this object I have selected the special 
subject of this paper, being one in which I have always taken much 
interest. 
1. Distribution and Growth of Trout in Otago. 
The first successful hatching of trout (Salmo fario) in Otago was in 
October, 1868. This was achieved by Mr. Clifford, then Curator to our 
Acclimatization Society, who went to Tasmania, and got from the natural 
spawning-beds at the breeding-ponds of the Plenty, 800 ova, whereof 720 
were hatched out as above at our Opoho breeding-ponds. Part of this lot 
was sent to Lake Wakatipu, but all the young fish died on the road. The 
remainder seem to have been sent to Mr. Young, at Palmerston, and were 
turned out in the mill-race on that gentleman’s property. A year after- 
wards one of these fish was caught, and found to be seven inches in length. 
In October, 1869, the second shipment of 1,000 trout ova was brought from 
Tasmania by Mr. Clifford, and placed in the breeding-boxes at Opoho, the 
water having a temperature of 44° Fah. The fish from these two lots of 
trout ova form the original stock, which were liberated in our streams in 
November, 1869, and from these and their descendants the ova for stocking 
the rivers in Otago have been obtained. I append a table published 
by our Acclimatization Society, showing the rivers into which young trout 
