48 



On two hitherto ukdescribed Fishes well-known in the 

 Sydney Market. 



By William Macleay, F.L.S., &c.^ 



The enquiry now being conducted by tlie Fisheries Commission 

 of which I am a member, has revealed the rather remarkable 

 fact that two of the best known and most highly prized of the 

 marketable fishes of these seas, have hitherto entirely escaped the 

 notice of Ichthyologists. They are : 



1. Otolithus Teraglin. 



D. 10 1/30-32. A. 1/8, L. lat. 70. 



Height of body nearly one-fifth of total length, length of head 

 one-fourth of the same. Lower jaw slightly longer than upper, 

 maxillary extending to behind the vertical from the posterior 

 margin of the orbit. Teeth acute and slightly recurved, but 

 without canines or larger teeth. Eye large, one-eighth of the 

 length of the head, and distant about two diameters from the 

 point of the snout. Prseoperculum rounded at the angle, and 

 distantly denticulated. Pectoral fins pointed, and more than half 

 the length of the head, with a large skinny flap in the upper part 

 of the axil. Soft dorsal with a scaly sheath at base ; caudal fin 

 broad and slightly emarginate. Colour bluish-silvery, lighter on 

 the belly ; all the fins of a dark tinge excepting the ventrals, 

 which are white with the space between the first and second rays 

 black. 



This fish is abundant on our coasts, and attains a very 

 considerable size — three or four feet in length. It is known to 

 the fishermen as the " Teraglin," and I have made that its specific 

 name. It belongs like the ''Jew Fish" Scicena antarctica, of 

 Castelnau, to the Scicenidce, a family said by Dr. Gunther to be 

 iinknown in Australia. 



