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molested by these birds, (although they existed in great numbers in his neigh- 

 bourhood), when under the charge of a turkey mother. 



From noxious reptiles this country is happily free, and we shall scarcely 

 require to import boa constrictors from St. Lucia (as recommended by Sir 

 Charles Darling, to the Acclimatization Society of Victoria), for the purpose 

 of devouring them. 



With the indigenous sea fish, and the marine Crustacea and testacea we 

 are but little acquainted. The Hapuka, Baracouta, Ling, Snapper, Kawai, 

 and Moki, a species of Flounder, and a few varieties of Rock fish, are the 

 sea fish chiefly obtained and used, and of most of these, as indeed of a large 

 number of the New Zealand sea fish, it may be said, that they are poor in 

 flavour and coarse in flesh, affording a most striking contrast in this respect to 

 the many delicious species found in English waters. There are two species of 

 salt-water Crayfish, both coarse ; some excellent Oysters, and a few of the 

 commoner shell lish, such as Mussels, Cockles, Limpets, etc. ; but until lately 

 nothing has been done to extend the knowledge obtained by the very earliest 

 colonists in. respect to our marine fauna. 



Of fresh water fish, we have Eels of several kinds, all extremely good 

 eating ; Lampreys, said by the natives to be delicious, and the fry of a fish 

 as yet unascertained, which ascends the rivers in the months of October and 

 November, and is used as whitebait. 



In the Province of Nelson, during the month of April, shoals of a small 

 fish from a quarter to half a pound in weight, and of delicious flavour, ascend 

 the rivers, and are then eagerly sought for by epicures, but I am not aware 

 that any attempt has been made to ascertain the ordinary habits of this fish. 



Of the invertebrata, we have great numbers, but no great variety, in species 

 of the spider. Moths, and consequently their larvae, are extremely numerous, 

 and the latter, as well as the larvae of certain species of beetles, frequently do 

 great damage to the grain and other crops. 



There are several varieties of indigenous flesh, and other flies, which are 

 found to be great pests, and they, as well as the imported house and cattle flies, 

 are increasing to an extent which threatens to prove a serious source of damage 

 and discomfort. My own opportunities of observation have been too limited 

 to enable me to point out the checks now in operation to the further and more 

 destructive increase of these insects, but I am convinced that it is of great 

 importance that we should speedily add to the number of those checks, unless 

 we are willing to submit to severe injury and loss. It has been said by a great 

 author, in reference to the injuries which insects can do us, " that the 

 Almighty ordains various instruments for the punishment of offending nations; 

 sometimes he breaks them to pieces with the iron rod of war ; at others the 

 elements are let loose against them ; earthquakes and floods of fire at his word 

 bring sudden destruction upon them ; seasons unfriendly to vegetation threaten 

 them with famine ; the blight and mildew realize these threats ; and often, the 

 more to manifest and glorify his power, he employs means, at first sight, 

 apparently the most insignificant and inadequate, to effect their ruin ; the 

 numerous tribes of insects are his armies, marshalled by him, and by 

 his irresistible commands impelled to the work of destruction ; where he 

 directs them, they lay waste the earth, and famine and the pestilence often 

 follow in their train. 



" The generality of mankind overlook or disregard these powerful, because 

 minute, dispensers of punishment ; seldom considering in how many ways their 

 welfare is affected by them, but the fact is certain, that should it please God to 

 give them a general commission against us, and should he excite them to attack, 

 at the same time, our bodies, our clothing, our houses, our cattle, and the produce 

 of our fields and gardens, we should soon be reduced, in every possible respect, 



