salmon

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

n. The English Salmon is beingacclimatised with difficulty in Tasmania and New Zealand;the Trout more successfully. But in all Australian,New Zealand, and Tasmanian waters there is a marine fishwhich is called Salmon; it is not the true Salmon of theOld World, but Arripis salar, Gunth., and calledin New Zealand by the Maori name Kahawai. The fishis often called also Salmon-Trout. The young iscalled Samson-fish (q.v.).


1798. D. Collins, `Account of the English Colony of New SouthWales,' p. 136:

[Sept. 1790.] «Near four thousand of a fish, named by us,from its shape only, the Salmon, being taken at two haulsof the seine. Each fish weighed on an average about fivepounds.»

1845. E. J. Wakefield, `Adventures in New Zealand,' vol. i.p. 93:

«The kawai has somewhat of the habits of the salmon, enteringduring spring and summer into the bays, rivers, and fresh-watercreeks in large shoals.»

1880. Guenther, `Study of Fishes,' p. 393:

« Arripis salar, South Australia. Three species areknown, from the coasts of Southern Australia and New Zealand.They are named by the colonists Salmon or Trout, from theirelegant form and lively habits, and from the sport they affordto the angler.»

1882. Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, `Fish of New South Wales,'p. 35:

« Arripis salar, Gunth., is in the adult state the salmonof the Australian fishermen, and their salmon trout is theyoung. . . . The most common of all Victorian fishes. . . does not resemble the true salmon in any importantrespect . . . It is the A. truttaceus of Cuvierand Valenciennes.»

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