Il6 THE EDIBLE FISHES OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 



acute spine directed backwards. The pectoral fins, which^ 

 as in the true Flying-fishes, form the so-called " wings," 

 are greatly enlarged in the adult, though comparatively short 

 in the young. The body is somewhat stout and squat, and 

 the scales are exceedingly rough. 



Though not likely to become of economic importance 

 on this coast, this species is already favorably known as 

 an edible fish. It attains a length of 12 inches, or more. 



NOTOTHEMIOID FISHES. 



Congolly or Sandy {Pseudaphritis urvillii). 



A somewhat Whiting-like fish of no present importance. 

 It has a most curious geographical distribution, occurring 

 both in the Murray River, in fresh water, and along the 

 sea-coast as well. It has an elongate, cylindrical body, and 

 grows to a length of about 12 inches. 



BLENNIES. 



River Blackfish {Gadopsis marmoratus). 



Plate LXXX. 



One is usually inclined to regard the Blennies as, alto- 

 gether, a " little people," and quite beneath notice from an 

 edible point of view, but there are a few giants among them. 

 The largest of all is well known to Europeans as the " Sea 

 Wolf," or "Sea Cat"; and the greatest Australian Blenny 

 is the River Blackfish, familiar to many country-folk by the 

 name of " Slippery." 



This is a fresh water fish occurring in the upland streams 

 of the southern tableland of New South Wales, where it 

 attains a length of at least 24 inches. It is of considerable 

 value as an edible fish, and of some importance as a game- 

 fish, fighting well when hooked. 



The exact systematic position of the genus Gadopsis is 

 still, I think, open to some doubt, though it appears to have 

 more in common with the Blennies than with any other 

 group of fishes. 



