58 FISHES OF AUSTRALIA. 



Dr. Gunther describes these fishes as being ''gigantic marine 

 Sticklebacks, living near the shore, from which they are 

 frequently driven into the open sea." The largest species 

 attains a length of 6 feet, and is found along the shores of 

 the Atlantic Ocean. 



Two species of these Flute-mouths occur in Australian 

 waters ; the more abundant being that known as Fistularia 

 depressa. It reaches a length of 3 to 4 feet and is 



Fig. 20. FLUTE-MOUTH (Fistularia serrata). 



obtained at times in various lakes and estuaries on parts 

 of the Australian coast, more particularly that of New 

 South Wales. It is a very remarkable-looking fish, with 

 its somewhat-flattened body and long snout. Its body is' 

 naked and the caudal fin is forked ; the two central rays being 

 produced into a long filament. Fishes of the same genus 

 as this one, are known to occur in a fossil state in certain 

 geological formations in Europe. 



BELLOWS-FISHES OR SEA-SNIPES. 



( Family : Cen triscidce.') 



HERE we come to another family of grotesque-looking 

 fishes, again characterised by the possession of a long, 

 drawn-out tube-mouth ; but instead of the body being de- 

 pressed and elongate it is compressed and usually short and 

 high. There are two dorsal fins, and in the first is a com- 

 paratively enormous spine. The body is covered with small 

 rough scales ; with some bony strips on the back and the 



