68 FISHES OF AUSTRALIA. 



Three narrow black vertebral streaks, not extending so far 

 back as the dorsal fin. Two similar but irregular and broader 

 streaks between these and the broad lateral silvery band, 

 which is bordered above by a narrow orange streak. There 

 is a faint black spot at the base of the pectoral fin. 



The River Garfish is usually found in considerable abun- 

 dance on sand-and-mud flats, where these are covered with 

 "sea-grass," upon which it, to a great extent, subsists. 



The Barred Garfish : This fish is occasionally 

 obtained on the coast of New South Wales, and is fairly- 

 common in parts of Queensland, being taken in some abun- 

 dance at Cooktown and Thursday Island. It is very widely 

 distributed, being known to occur in the waters of the Red 

 Sea, the East Coast of Africa, the seas of India and the 

 Malay Archipelago. It is a large species, attaining a length 

 of 15 inches. 



This Garfish may be readily distinguished by its heavy 

 build ; having, roughly, the body proportions of the Short- 

 beaked Garfish. As compared with the River Garfish, it 

 may be stated that the body is very much more bulky 

 length for length while the beak is considerably longer, the 

 scales are larger, the tail is longer and more-deeply forked 

 and the ventral and anal fins are set back farther along the 



body. 



In life, the back is a dark bluish-green, there is a silvery 

 band along the sides and there are four or five prominent 

 dark bars or blotches along the upper half of each side. 



The Short-beaked Garfish is a native of New South 

 Wales and Queensland ranging from Port Jackson 

 on the south to about the coast of Central Queensland 

 or possibly still farther north. On the coast of New South 

 Wales it is most abundant in the lower portions of the Clar- 

 ence and Richmond Rivers. In each of those rivers, as well 

 as in other portions of its habitat, it ascends right into the 

 fresh-water. 



From all of our other Garfishes, this species may be it 

 once distinguished by the relative shortness of its beak, 

 which comparatively speaking projects but a short dis- 

 tance beyond the mouth. It is also very stout-looking, and 

 the scales are large and not very deciduous. 



