FOOD AND FANCY FISHES. 287 



genus is, however, altogether distinct from that which obtains in the true trevallies, and is in fact 

 unique of its class. There is a much larger series of bony spines in the dorsal and anal fins — 

 (viz., thirteen in the former and seven in the latter) as compared with the eight, at the most, of 

 the dorsal and the three of the anal in the Carangidae ; while the ventral fin of Teuthis presents the 

 anomalous peculiarity of having a spinous ray on both its outer and inner margin. The dorsal 

 and other spines of Teuthis are exceedingly sharp, and capable of inflicting wounds of such 

 severity, that it would appear that some specific form of virus secreted by the fish is communicated 

 to them. In the case of the black trevally, T. ncbnlosa, more particularly, it is recommended that all 

 the spinous fins should be removed with a pair of large scissors, immediately the fish is caught. 

 With reference to their defensive armature, this small group may be appropriately distinguished 

 by the title of the spined-trevallies. 



The tassel-fishes, family Polynemida:, constitute a somewhat remarkable group, most abun- 

 dantly represented in the vicinity of the estuaries of muddy tropical rivers. Its members are 

 readily distinguished by the peculiar filamentous processes which are developed at the bases 

 of the pectoral fins, and which, in some species, considerably exceed the body of the fish in 

 length. Four or five species, referable to the single genus Polynemus, have been recorded from 

 the Queensland coast-line. One most excellent table species, Polynemus tetradadyltis, which, on 

 account of its external shape and the pink tint of its flesh when cooked, is known locally as 

 the Cooktown salmon, is represented by Plate XLVL, Fig. 2. This fish is taken plentifully 

 in the estuary of the Endeavour River; and, while commonly averaging ten or twelve 

 pounds' weight, it may grow to a much larger size. Another notable form, Sheridan's tassel- 

 fish, Polynemus Sheridani, McL, abundant at some seasons at the mouth of the Mary and 

 Burnet rivers, is stated to grow to a weight of no less than one hundred pounds, and is locally 

 known as the Mary-, or Burnet-, River king-fish. Both this and other larger varieties 

 of the same genus are highly esteemed for food, while trom allied, and in some instances 

 identical, Indian species, an excellent quality of isinglass is obtained, which forms an important 

 article of commerce. Others, again, as noted by the author at Palmerston, Port Darwin, are 

 extensively dried for future consumption. This is undoubtedly a group of fishes to which more 

 attention might be profitably directed. Polynemus indicus, Shaw, P. macrochir Gth., and 

 P. ccecus, Mel. are among the important forms, in addition to the two above mentioned, that are 

 found in Queensland waters. The species last-named is popularly known as the blind tassel-fish, 

 with reference to the circumstance that the eyes, though normally developed, are covered by a 

 dense filmy skin, which must apparently greatly impair their function. The natural thick-water 

 habitat of these fish would imply a relatively diminished exercise of the visual sense ; but this 

 deficiency would appear to be compensated for, by the specialised tactile appendages developed 

 in connection with the pectoral fins. A species new to science, having seven filamentous rays, 

 five of which exceed the body in length, was obtained by the author in the estuary of the 



