330 Transactions. — Zoologij. 



22. Flounders were iu regular supply all tlie year. It is much to be 

 regretted that the fishermen will persist in sending so many small ones to 

 market, legislative interference will have to take place. But there would be 

 no need for it if fishermen would only use their common sense and reject all 

 below a certain size. The dealers would also help materially if they refused 

 to buy small fish. The flounder was in the market 261 days, for 201 last 

 year. 



23. Soles are somewhat rare in our market, and are most plentiful in 

 spring. Two varieties appear to be caught here, differing but slightly from 

 each other; were thirty days in the- market last year, and twenty this year. 



24. The skate is not often brought to market, but is not a scarce fish, 

 and as a food-fish has few superiors ; was fifteen days in the market, 

 against thirteen last year. 



Some odd fishes now and then turn up in the market, such as the 

 Maori chief, cat-fish, silver-fish, etc., but of these there is seldom more than 

 one at a time, and so I omitted them from the table. There is also the 

 common leather-jacket or pig-fish of our harbour (Aqriopus leucopoecUus) 

 which is often caught, but very seldom offered for sale, though good eating. 

 One schnapper was caught late in the season. 



In conclusion, I have only to add that a great deal of pain and trouble 

 have been used in order that the information may be as correct as possible ; 

 and when I state that the table is the result of nearly 4,000 entries, you will 

 see that I have gone with some minuteness into my task. 



During the year there were twenty-two days on which there were no 

 fish on sale ; during last year there were thirty-two such days. 



