"MISTAKEN* IDENTITY." 47 



Striped Pika [Sphyrcena lineata). 



Plate XV. 



This handsome Pike is not uncommon along the New 

 South Wales coast. I believe it to be the form which has in 

 the past been referred, by writers dealing with New South 

 Wales fishes, to the species described by the French authors 

 Cuvier and Valenciennes as Sphyrcena obtiisaia* The matter 

 of identity will be discussed, and a complete description will 

 be given, in another place, as it is hardly suitable for this 

 production. 



There are three dark longitudinal bands on each side, the 

 first running from the back of the head along the back, and 

 ending on the tail-shaft at the insertion of the caudal fin; 

 the second starting from just above the eye, following the 

 course of the lateral line, and becoming indistinct towards the 

 end of the body; the third, beginning from the lower border 

 of the eye, running along the body a little above the pectoral 

 fin and well below the lateral line, joining the latter below 

 the posterior portion of the second dorsal fin, and following 

 its course on to the base of the caudal fin. 



It is from the above-mentioned stripes that I have taken 

 the name " striped," here applied to this species, as well as 

 the specific name {lineatus : streaked). The description of 

 them, here given, will enable anyone to positively identify 

 this species, as they are a constant character. 



From an edible point of view, I think the Striped Pike 

 is rather superior to its congener, previously mentioned. 



THE WHARIO FAMILY. 



Whario {Seriolella hrama). 



This well and favorably known food-fish is probably 

 present at times in large numbers in our offshore waters, but, 

 like most of our other fishes of a more or less pelagic habit, 

 little is known of its distribution in our waters. 



The Whario or Warehou (New Zealand names) " takes 

 the smoke " admirably. 



* I do not deny the existence oi Sphyrctna ul-lusata itself in our waters. 



