THE PIKE FAMILY. 83 



hers all the year round. Though of fairly-good flavour, this 

 fish is not in much demand as a food product. 



The teeth are very formidable. There are 2 to 4 pairs 

 of strong, recurved, conical teeth, in the upper jaw towards 

 the front ; behind which, on each side, is a single, closely- 

 set row of minute ones. Then there is a pair of strong re- 

 curved fangs in the middle of the lower jaw, at the front, 

 followed by a row of conical teeth, numbering about 16, on 

 each side and strongest towards the back of the mouth. In 

 addition to these, there are strong and sharp teeth (palatine 

 teeth) along the centre of the upper jaw. 



In colour this species is greenish above and silvery 

 below; the second dorsal and caudal fins being yellowish. 



The Short-finned Pike usually attains a length of 2 to 

 3 feet ; specimens of a larger size being very uncommon. 



Several other species of Sphyrtvna inhabit the seas of 

 Australia. 



