426 ON THE MUGILID.E OF ATJSTKALIA. 



Genus MYXUS, Gunth. 



Small teeth in the upper jaw, sometimes also on the lower, 

 anterior margin of the mandibles sharp. 



15. Myxus elongatus, Gunth. 



Cat. Brit. Mus., Vol. III., p. 466. Kner., Yoy. Novara, p. 230. 



D. 4. 1/8. A. 3/9. L. lat. 45. L. transv. 13. 



"A single series of fine teeth in the upper jaw, none in the lower ; 

 vomer with a narrow cross band of teeth ; sometimes a very small 

 patch anteriorly on the palatine bones. Lips thin ; praeorbital 

 serrated anteriorly and inferiorly. The anterior dorsal spine 

 slender, its length being rather more than one-half of that of the 

 head. Eleven inches long." 



Hah. Hobson's Bay and Port Jackson. 



To the above description of Dr. Gunth er's I may add that the 

 small specimens I have seen taken in Port Jackson, have a distinct 

 black spot above the root of the pectoral fins, and a golden spot 

 near them on the edge of the operculum. They are known among 

 the Sydney fishermen as the " Sand Mullet " and " Tallegallann," 

 and are not of much value as an article of food. 



From the list of species of the Mullet tribe above enumerated, 

 it will be seen that while all parts of Australia abound with one 

 or more species of these very valuable fishes, Port Jackson and 

 its immediate vicinity is favoured by the annual visits of no less 

 than three of the very best kinds: — " M. grandis, dohda, and 

 Peronii." But of what avail is it ? We certainly do not manifest 

 any appreciation of our advantages, by our efforts to benefit 

 by them. In the magnificent display of all the productions 

 and manufactures of the Globe, now to be seen in the International 

 Exhibition in the Garden Palace, one looks in vain for any 

 evidence of the value of our Fisheries. We see Tunny, Sardines 

 and Anchovies from the Mediterranean. Salmon from America, and 

 Cod, Ling, Herring, &c , from Northern Europe, but in Australia 



