MORTALITY AMONG THE FISH: ITS SUPPOSED CAUSE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VII, Issue 1017, 18 May 1880, Page 2

MORTALITY AMONG THE FISH : ITS SUPPOSED CAUSE.

We noticed a few days since that a party of gentlemen had visited various parts of the coast with a view to make observations on the spot of the appearance of the fiah that are now being cast up in such numbers along the beaches. The rapidity with which decomposition seta in has hitherto prevented accurate observation being made by competeut witnessess. We believe that very important, although not definite, results have been obtained. The fish can be observed with greater minuteness a short distance from the shore, where they are yet living ; but apparently in a state of exhaustion, floating belly upwards. The great majority of fish thus affected are schnapper, but there arc many other kinds of fish similarlj affected, such as John Dory and a few instances of barracouta. Yesterday a fine specimen of John Dory — a fullgrown fish — was receivedin town. It was found alive in the surf at Whangarei Heads the day previously, and forwarded by one of the party to Auckland. It would be premature to hazard any opinion as to the real cause of this most extraordinary phenomenon ; bul enough haß been ascertained to suggest that the appearances presented by these fißh are the consequence of disease. Upon the mouth being closely examined, the tongue and the interior of the fauces were found to be covered with white slightly elevated discs, resembling thai of the oyster pearl and of a similai color. It was suggested that these discs developed themselves into yellow patches, of which two or three wen found in this particular instance. These observations go a great way to establish the conclusion that these white corpusceles are the result of * a diseased condition of the fish, and that the} exhibit growth and development. Thej are intimately connected with the solution of the question which the aspect oi the whole phenomenon presents. Whal are they ? Are they fungus, or are thej a form of excrescence generated by the physical condition of the creature affected by them ? Do they proceed from the impurity or abnormal condition of the element in which the fisli live, or are they generated by degeneracy of the organism ? These are questions yet to be determined. The disease in many respects resembles diptheria. It is a step in advance tc know that diseases and not volcanic disturbance of the bed of the ocean, is the probable cause of this great piscine mortality along the eastern coast of the province of Auckland. — Herald.