78 



the third si)inc is considerably shorter than the second and 

 the fourth, which is curved and feeble, is 2 to 2^ in the 

 length of the first ; the space between the origins of the 

 dorsal fins is as long as or a little shorter than the head ; 

 the anterior soft rays are as long as or a little longer than the 

 first spine, and the outer border of the second dorsal is but 

 little emarginate, the last ray not being appreciably pro- 

 duced ; the anal fin originates well in advance of and does 

 not extend quite so far back as the second dorsal, its base 

 being 1^ to If in its distaoce from the caudal ; the 

 anterior soft rays are longer than those of the dorsal, and 

 when laid back extend to, or nearly to, the extremity of the 

 last ray, which is but little produced ; the outer border of 

 the fin is moderately emarginate ; ventral inserted beneath 

 the last fourth of the pectoral, its length 1^- to If in 

 that of the head, and 2J to 2f in the distance between 

 its origin and the anal ; the outer ray not longer than the 

 second ; third pectoral ray the longest, not nearly extending 

 to beneath the origin of the S})inous dorsal, If to If in 

 the length of the head ; caudal deeply emarginate ; caudal 

 peduncle long and rather slender, its least depth 2J to 2J 

 in the depth of the body and much less than its length. 

 Scales of the cheeks, preorbitals, and ventral surface finely 

 ciliated ; the elongated scale in the axil of the ventral is 

 much smaller than that at the base of the first dorsal, which 

 reaches almost to the end of the membrane ; a series of 

 small scales between the soft dorsal and anal rays. Light 

 reddish brown or dark green above, silver below, the sides 

 pink ; a small black spot in the axil of the pectoral ; a 

 golden spot on the opercle ; soft dorsal generally with a 

 median dusky band ; extremity of the caudal fin blackish. 



The aboriginal name of this fish in the Sydney district is 

 Tallegalane, but it is more commonly sold by dealers as Sand 

 Mullet, a name well in accordance with its habits. Its range 

 extends from Southern Queensland to the coast of Victoria, 

 whence Giinther received one of his types. In that colony, 

 however, it has either been overlooked or is a mere straggler, 

 as it has not been recorded since ; the fact that none of the 

 Tasmanian authorities have ever noticed it, but that at the 

 same time Mr. Morton was able to forward five examples, 

 induces me to incline to the former theory. Its range on the 

 coast of the island colony is not known, but probably concurs 

 with that of Mugil dobula. The Tallegalane* attains a size 

 of 400 millimeters, though those which come to market more 

 ordinarily average less than twelve inches. 



* Where the native name of an animal or plant is known it is, I think, always 

 best to use it in preference to such names as " Sand Mullet," •' Sea Mullet," etc., 

 which are almost sure to be bandied about from one species to another in different 

 localities. 



