two species. Another is said to be an inhabitant of the creeks of Queensland; but this is doubtful. Eastwards the same genus is met with again in the southernmost parts of America (Falkland Islands, Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego), whence three species are known; and finally a minute form is said to occur in Chile. The occurrence of the same natural genus of freshwater fishes in Australia, New Zealand, and South America would appear to be significant enough, and must be the more so when we find that even one and the same species (Galaxias attenuatus) inhabits the fresh waters of countries separated at present by the South Pacific Ocean.”

Two species of this fish have been figured, as they are most frequently met with, and illustrate the greatest variety of external form which the genus presents in New Zealand. The kokopu proper is a fat, sluggish fish found lurking under stones and rotten logs in all the streams in the colony, however small, where not running over a clear or stony bottom. They afford very came sport, but are fair eating, resembling the eel in flavour.

The other species (G. attenuatus), which is the adult form of the true whitebait of New Zealand, it is proposed to distinguish as the New Zealand minnow. It is a little fish constantly seen in most clear running streams, with very much the same habits as the English minnow. At certain seasons the young fry swarm in incredible numbers, and form the whitebait of New Zealand, but are a very poor substitute for the little herring that is so well known at Greenwich by that name. At Taupo Lake and other places in the interior small fish, which the Maoris collectively term “inanga,” but which are chiefly of the species now referred to, form the food of the natives for many months in the year, and are obtained in such abundance as to yield an ample supply both for daily use and to preserve for other seasons. These small fish are caught, where streams enter the lake, with fine-meshed nots woven of green flax. Several bushels of them are frequently caught at one time, and are immediately piled on hot stones, and covered with mats and earth for half an hour or so, in the usual manner of Maori cookery, but without the addition of any water. Thus prepared, if not for immediate use, they are firmly packed in sightly plaited baskets, and in this state will keep for months, at least sufficiently well to suit the Maori taste, which is not fastidious.

The young of any of the following freshwater fishes may be taken as whitebait, but probably at different seasons and in varying localities, viz.:—

1. Salmonoids. — (a.) Grayling (Prototroctes). (b.) Smelt (Rekopinna).