658 NOTES AND EXHIBITS. 



from various localities, and no " intermediate forms " were ever 

 found. Since that time, thousands of these fishes have coitif 

 under my observation, and many hundreds of each species have 

 passed through my hands; and jiever at any time was there a 

 moment's hesitation as to the species to which any individual 

 belonged, either on my part, or on the part of assistants. I 

 specially mention this, as the differences between the two forms, 

 to which I shortly drew attention in these Proceedings in 1906 

 (pp.261-262), and which are now still further insisted on as abso- 

 lutely constant, are not of such a nature as to require the judg- 

 ment of the expert, as they are apparent to every fisherman and 

 angler. I have observed and examined these two species of 

 fishes from the l?ippsland Lakes to the Tweed River; and in all 

 cases the leading features of difference were the same, and the 

 two kinds easily separable. In addition, 1 may mention that, in 

 an ofhcial capacity, some hundreds of living examples of the 

 Freshwater Perch have come under my notice, as they have been 

 kept in ponds under observation; but in no case has the Estuary 

 Perch been kept (the latter in view of my discovery as to the 

 localities of spawning). In many waters the fishermen have dis- 

 tinctive names for the two kinds. For instance, in the Gipps- 

 hmd Lakes they call the Estuary Perch " Perch," and the Fresh- 

 water Perch " Leather jacket " Perch. The latter, it may lie 

 mentioned, is the real " Gippsland " Perch, which has achieved 

 great fame in Victoria for its sporting qualities. Much more 

 might be written here regarding this question, but I think the 

 differences, as set out in the following paragraphs, will serve my 

 purpose best : — 



Freshwater Pkrch {Fercah(tei< Jfuviatilis). — General foim 

 somewhat elliptical and elongate. Body somewhat compressed. 

 Local habitat : from the limits of the freshwater down to the 

 brackish water (and occasionally in flood-time penetrating to the 

 saltwater bays and estuaries). Spawning time : about September 

 and October (or still later). Spawns in the freshwater of the 

 eastern rivers and creeks. Egg adhesive and demersal. Grows 

 exceptionally to a weight of 6 lbs. The " Black Bass " of Aus- 



