36 THE EDIBLE FISHES OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 



food-fishes. Great numbers are captured during the summer 

 months in the lower parts of the harbors and estuaries; the 

 usual means of capture being the so-called garfish net (also 

 known as " Balloo net," from the Port Jackson aboriginal 

 name of "Balloo," which was applied to garfish), a hauling 

 net which possesses a mesh of i^ inch in the bunt or central 

 portion, the wings or ends being of 2-inch mesh. This may 

 be used either (i) as a simple hauling net, when the garfish 

 are on the weedy bottoms, or (2) as a meshing, or gill, net, 

 when the fishes are in large schools at the surface of the water. 

 In the latter case, the process known as " Bull-ringing " is 

 followed, the net being thrown in a circle right round the 

 school. The Sea Garfish may also be captured by hook and 

 line, in that way affording sport to quite a number of amateur 

 fishermen. From an edible point of view, this species and the 

 River Garfish are second to none, the flesh being white, flaky, 

 firm, and delicious. 



These fishes also keep sound, under natural conditions, 

 for a longer period than do most others. Of the two species 

 here mentioned, the Sea Garfish is usually by far the larger, 

 attaining a total length of more than 18 inches, with a weight 

 of up to 10 ounces; the usual " run " of those marketed, is, 

 however, considerably below that size. 



The Sea Garfish may be distinguished from the River 

 Garfish in a rough-and-ready manner by the following char- 

 acteristics. In the former the body is far more elongate 

 or slim; the scales are much smaller and very deciduous, 

 coming off with the least handling; and the upper jaw has 

 a considerably greater length when compared with its width 

 at the base. 



The colors of the Sea Garfish are: — Back, bright green, 

 with three narrow dark brown or blackish streaks from the 

 back of the head to the dorsal fin, immediately in front of 

 which the three meet. There is a silvery band, broadest 

 posteriorly, and margined above by a narrower lead-colored 

 band, running along each side. The lower surface is a pale 

 greenish-silvery. 



