280 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



Finlay was not able to discover what was inside it. The evidence 

 against it, therefore, is inconclusive. The dam was stocked with 

 Perch, which were very successful. Later on, as land in the district, 

 being used for dairying, became very valuable, reaching from £70 to 

 £80 an acre, the water was let out of the dam, and the custodian of 

 the local hatcheries was able to rescue a large number of yearlings 

 and large fish, up to 6 lb., for stripping. But when the water was 

 released not a single Eel was caught in the dam or seen in it. If 

 Eels eat Trout, Mr. Finlay asks, do Perch eat Eels ? 



" Further evidence is supplied by Mr. A. W. Babbage, of Hauturu, 

 Kawhia. He states that about seven years ago an Eel weighing 7 lb. 

 was caught in the Kaimango stream by Mr. F. Pearson. Inside 

 there were two Trout, one 10 in. long and the other 12 in. The 

 smaller one was slightly digested, but the larger one was quite fresh, 

 and, evidently, had been swallowed only a short time previously. Mr. 

 II. P. Washbourn, of Port Nelson, has entered with great vigour into 

 the discussion in regard to the breeding of Eels. He has sent to 

 Maoris and Europeans in the dominion a circular containing a number 

 of questions. All the men to whom the circular has been addressed 

 have had many opportunities for observing the habits of Eels. Mr. 

 Washbourn feels that their replies will be at least interesting records, 

 and lie believes that they will show that the lives and habits of New 

 Zealand Eels are not settled by the lives and habits of Eels in the 

 Old Country." — ' Lyttleton Times,' April, 1914. 



