OF ANCIENT LINEAGE. 2.'] 



The Freshwater Herring is seen in its greatest abundance 

 timing the spawning season, which is about midwinter. At 

 this time huge shoals congregate in the estuaries of the rivers, 

 whither they have made their way to spawn. During the 

 breeding season the normal shape of the fish is greatly altered, 

 so much, indeed, as to give it the appearance of a different 

 species. This is due to the greatly increased depth or height 

 of the fish, brought about by the enormous development of 

 the reproductive organs, both ovaries and milt. 



The teeth of the Freshwater Herring are very tiny. The 

 scales are large, smooth, and firmly adherent — not deciduous 

 as in the case of the common Herring. Like the latter fish 

 also, it has well-developed adipose eyelids. 



This is a beautiful little fish when fresh, being, with the 

 exception of a narrow greenish strip along the back, of a 

 uniform silvery color. Soon after capture a good deal of its 

 brilliance disappears, the back and sides then being of a straw 

 color, or olive-green, with the belly silvery; a broad silver}^ 

 dark-edged, longitudinal band running down the middle of 

 the sides. 



The Freshwater Herring is known in different parts under 

 various names. It is one of our gentler sporting- fishes, being 

 often captured by " knights of the rod," and taking a bait 

 freely. 



Sandy Sprat [Hyperlophus sprateUides). 



This delicate little fish is destined to be of great importance 

 in future fishing operations in the waters of New South Wales, 

 occurring, as it does, always plentifully and at times in really 

 prodigious numbers. It is a pretty little fish, almost trans- 

 parent when alive, frequenting sandy localities along the New 

 South Wales coast, and attains to a length of 3 or 4 inches. 

 With its relative, the Freshwater Herring, this little clupeid 

 is of some interest scientifically, in that it is one of the so- 

 called " Rough-backed Herrings," which were known to occur 

 in a fossil state long before any existing species were dis- 

 covered. Reference to this matter will be found in " Fishes 

 of Australia." 



