Enys.—The Maori manner of preserving the Skin of the Huia. 205 
The slaughter that came under my notice last year was so large, that 
I fear, when the country is more opened up the poor Huia will become 
extinct, a fate I shall much deplore, as any one who has once seen this most 
graceful bird alive can only regret that he has not oftener a chance of 
doing so. 
I am glad to say, one inducement to its. destruction is wanting, as it is 
reported by all who have cooked it, to be a tough morsel. I ascertained 
that over 600 skins were procured last year, from the back ranges of the 
Kast Coast of the Wellington Province, by the natives. I may mention, 
that, part of the ranges had been tapu by the natives, for the last seven 
years, so as to protect the Huia from being killed off. 
I exhibit a specimen, obtained with some difficulty, from one of the 
brothers mentioned in the beginning of this paper. 
Arr. XXVI.—Notes on the Introduction and Acclimatization of the Salmon. 
By James Srewart, C.E. 
[Read before the Auckland Institute, 6th December, 1875.] 
Tue recent importation into Auckland of healthy Salmon Ova, and success- 
ful distribution of them by Mr. Firth in the upland tributaries of the Wai- 
kato and Thames, has drawn renewed attention to the subject of the intro- 
duction of this splendid fish into New Zealand. Happening to be on my 
way to Waikato on the morning on which Mr. Firth left with his charge, I 
can bear testimony to the completeness of his arrangements, and the care 
and forethought brought to bear on the most minute details of the enter- 
prise, which, favoured by very unseasonable weather, but, on that account, 
all the more favourable to success, enabled him to distribute the living ova 
in waters over a wide area of country, and, so far as possible, with the 
present venture, secure many chances of success. 
The subject and discussions naturally arising from it on that journey, 
awakened, in my mind, memories of almost forgotten scenes and experiences 
in pisciculture in the old country. At intervals, during my absence of a 
week in the Waikato, I was enabled to recall my early observations, and 
study the matter in the light of present requirements, and as a small con- 
tribution to the cause, I have now the honour to lay before this Institute, 
and my fellow-colonists these notes, in the hope that the work will not be 
allowed to rest with the present venture, but will be prosecuted anew, and 
with the certainty of the same success attending it as has been achieved in 
the introduction of the Trout. 
