270 The N.Z. Journal of Science and Technology. [Sept. 
Waite* remarks on the extreme buoyancy of the ling, stating that when 
the air-bladder and tissues are distended it resembles an elongated barrel. 
It is interesting to note that the above date was the last day of the spring 
tides. In this connection Dr. J. A. Thomson has suggested that in Cook 
Strait during certain tidal upheavals a strong current sweeps from the 
sea-floor at a depth of 200 fathoms to the surface, bringing with it large 
numbers of fish which naturally live in those depths. The ling and 
whiting seem unable to adjust themselves to meet the new conditions 
of pressure met with near the surface, and probably find sudden descent 
impossible on account of their buoyancy. In this instance, as the fish had 
been already cleaned, I was unable to examine the swim-bladders, which 
would probably have been burst by the upheaval. Various reports which 
I have received state that the disturbance takes place in Cook Strait every 
few years,! anc ^ I have ascertained that no fish other than the aforesaid 
seem to be much affected. The popular idea that submarine volcanic 
eruptions are the cause of the death of these fish is discredited by all 
geologists. 
Whiting. Merluccius gciyi (Guichenot). 
I have mentioned this species above with the ling as being cast up in 
Cook Strait. All examples which I had the opportunity of examining on 
that occasion measured a little over 4 ft. Waite! mentioned that examples 
over 3 ft. in length had been reported to him, the largest he had measured 
totalling 2 ft. 9 in. Small specimens, 12 in. or so, were common, and sold 
under the name of “ whiting.” 
This fish is popularly known as “ English hake:” It is not, however, 
identical with the hake of England, although it is a closely allied species. 
Apart from a number of small examples to be seen during the spring, it is 
rarely exposed for sale in this city. 
Warehou. Seriolellci brama (Gunther). 
The season in which this species is abundant in Wellington extends 
from the beginning of July to the middle of November. Very few speci¬ 
mens are seen during the remaining summer and winter months. 
Blue Cod. Pdrapercis colias (Forster). 
A large proportion of the blue cod whicli arrives in this city conies from 
the Chatham Islands ; but the supply is seldom equal to the demand. 
During the summer months this species is here considered a rarity, though 
it is much commoner in the South Island. Large numbers of blue cod are 
continually arriving during the winter months, the supply increasing during 
the spawning season, July and August. 
Moki. Latridopsis ciliaris (Forster). 
The moki is one of the fishes which appear in the city practically all 
the year round. It is most common during August, September, and October. 
* E. Waite, Scientific Results of New Zealand Government Trawling Expedition, 
1907, Rec. Gant. Mus., vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 41-64, pis. i-vi, and chart (ref. to p. 54), 1909. 
f Since the above was written another such disturbance has taken place, on the 
11th August, during spring tides, making the second for this year. 
$ E. Waite, Scientific Results of New Zealand Government Trawling Expedition, 
1907, Rec. Cant. Mus., vol. 1, No. 3, pp. 157-272, pis. xxiv-lvii and figs. 1-3 (ref. to 
p. 183), 1911. 
