MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES. 391 
June, July, or August, the spawn being deposited in a slight exca- 
vation formed in the bed of theriver at a depth of eight or ten feet, 
‘ the male and female remaining in close attendance on it until 
hatched, Arrangements have been made by which it was hoped 
that a supply of the spawn might be obtained for observation next 
season. 
OTAGO INS TT wre. 
ANNUAL MEETING. 
Dunedin, 30th January, 1883.—W. Arthur, Esq., President, in 
the chair. 
New Member.—Mr. E. A. Petherick (London). 
Papers. —(1.) ‘On the Picton Herring ;” by W. Arthur, Esq. 
This fish is found chiefly in the sea at Picton and about Queen 
Charlotte Sound, but odd specimens have been occasionally taken 
in Otago Harbour. It is a very superior food fish, and nearly as 
good as a Scotch fresh herring. It contains a large quantity of 
oil. Asto species, it is not only a true Pilchard, but is almost 
identical with that of the English Channel, the specimens examined 
running from 8 to 1o inches total length. The back is of a nefi 
steel-blue colour, the sides and belly being covered with large 
silvery scales which overlap, forming a beautiful diamond pattern. 
The fins are small, clear, and delicate, and the abdomen so tender 
that very soon after being handled it breaks, and cannot easily be 
preserved intact. Along the ridge of the abdomen, from the pec- 
toral to the anal fin, and underneath the scales, there is embedded 
a row of bony spines or plates with lateral arms, the general form 
of these plates bearing a resemblance to the outline of the 
Pterichthys with its arms erect. The position of these plates 
viewed transversely to the axis of the fish shews that they are 
designed to strengthen the dermo-skeleton exactly at its weakest 
point. Another very interesting arrangement is evidently conse- 
quent on the eyes being sunk with their orbital bones considerably 
within the plane of the cheeks. A depression of the bones of the 
head anterior and posterior to the orbits being covered with a 
beautifully transparent jelly-like disc, furnished with a slit or 
opening directly over the centre of the eyes, which disc is evidently 
meant by refraction to convey the impression of objects to the 
eye which otherwise could not be seen. 
‘Specimens of this fish were sent to the writer by Mr. Fell, of 
Picton, who also contributed such information as he possessed 
regarding its habits. Of these not much is as yet known, but they 
are thus referred to:—‘‘ The fish is found all round Queen Char- 
lotte Sound and also in the adjoining Pelorus Sound, but is only 
caught here (Picton). Generally it is believed they do not extend 
outside, but my half-caste maintains that if sought for properly 
they would be tound all round Nelson waters (Blind Bay) and in 
the straits. They are not easy fish to find, unless they are 
rushing on the surtace, which is not often, and is a most peculiar 
sight. My own idea is that they will be found to extend much 
further to the south, but not into the warmer water north. The 
fish are in the Sound all the year round, but only come into the 
shallow bays in winter, when they are in largeshoals. In summer 
they keep more apart, and are sometimes caught, but are hard 
to find; no systematic fishing goeson in summer. They prefer 
the colder water, and thus leave shallow bays when spring sets in. 
