A GROUNDLESS FEAR. 35 



Stout Long-Tom {Tylosurus inacleayana). 



Plate X (Lower Figure). 



This Long-Tom appears in the markets a httle more 

 often than the previously-mentioned species, being more 

 abundantly taken in estuarine or lake (coastal) waters. In 

 appearance it is considerably different to the latter, being 

 relatively much shorter or thicker, as well as far more robust 

 in general build. It grows to a length of 3 or 4 feet, but 

 examples of from 2 to 3 feet in length are more commonly 

 seen. 



Like the Slender Long- Tom, it is a highly voracious fish; 

 but its jaws are more powerful than in that species, and the 

 teeth are very much stronger, though not so numerous. 



Though all examples of both of the common Long-Toms 

 are very readily bought u\) in the markets, there is in certain 

 quarters a very strong antipathy to them on account of the 

 greenness of their bones; but any feelings of suspicion as to 

 their desirability as food engendered by this character, it is 

 worthy of mention, are quite groundless. 



The colors of the Stout Long-Tom are as under: — Back, 

 uniformly dark green ; anterior half of the sides, iridescent 

 whitish-silvery, with a fairly well-marked line of demarcation 

 between the dorsal surface and the sides. In the posterior 

 half, the upper part of the sides are yellowish, fading into 

 green. 



Two other species of Long-Tom are found in the waters 

 of New South Wales. One of these, which I have named the 

 Barred Long-Tom, or Tylosurus ccBruleofasciatus, is probably 

 abundant at times at sea. It is undoubtedly a purely pelagic 

 fish. 



Sea Garfish {Ilemirhamphus intermedius). 



This highly important food-fish occurs in great abundance 

 in the coastal waters of New South Wales. From an economic 

 standpoint it must be considered as one of our most valuable 



