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Volume 63, 1934
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– 498 –

Section II.—Collection of The Material.

The localities from which material has been obtained for use in the present study are as follows:—

(a)

North Island

(1)

Dannevirke (Tamaki River).
(2)

At various places along the Manawatu River.
(b)

South Island

(3)

Selwyn River, Canterbury.
(4)

Aparima River, Southland.

Some of the material was obtained during 1928 and 1929, although approximately 85% was obtained during 1930 and 1931.

The following list gives the number of fish in each of the samples:

  • 402 fish from Dannevirke (Tamaki River) obtained during May and June, 1931.

  • 35 specimens from various localities along the Manawatu River taken during 1930–31.

  • 106 fish taken from the Lower Selwyn River at various dates during 1928, 1929, and 1930.

  • 32 specimens from the Aparima River.

  • 405 fry from the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society's hatchery at Christchurch.

  • 115 comprising five odd samples, of about 20 to 25 individuals in each.

  • The total number of specimens examined in connection with the present study was approximately 1085.

  • The fish taken during May and June from the Tamaki River, together with smaller samples from the Lower Selwyn River and

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  • Aparima River, form the basis of the relative rates of growth of seales and fish. This group of fish, comprising 931 individuals, is fairly representative as regards length, age, and sex. A good part of this material, together with other odd samples, was used for a study on the time of formation of the winter band.

For data on the variability and distribution of scales in the different regions of the body, three specimens taken from the Hinds River (Ashburton) were specially suitable (see page 500).

The data presented on the early development of the scale were obtained from an examination of fry reared at the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society's hatchery at Christchurch. A number were set aside during November, 1930, and samples of twenty to thirty individuals were taken every fortnight up to the end of March, 1931. For larger specimens several samples were used that had been collected at odd times during 1928 and 1929.

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