298 THE GREAT BARRIER REEF. 



Pleuronectid. The jaws are almost equally developed, the eyes are as often found on the 

 right-side as on the left, and the fish swims frequently, it is recorded, in a vertical position. 

 Having regard to the formidable prehensile teeth of Psettodes and some few other genera, 

 as compared with the feeble, almost rudimentary, dentition of Solea and its allies, and taking 

 into consideration the circumstance that while the integument in the majority of species 

 is clothed with ctenoid scales, in some few others, such as the Turbot, these scales are re- 

 placed by bony tubercles, the question arises whether the Pleuronectid group, as now recog- 

 nised, may not embrace the convergently modified members of several originally distinct ancestral 

 types. 



The catfish tribe, family Siluridae, is represented in Queensland waters by several edible 

 species; but, on account of their usually uninviting aspect, combined with the possession of pungent 

 spines with which they can inflict exceedingly painful and even dangerous wounds, they are not 

 held in general estimation. The most familiar type, commonly sold in the markets of Victoria 

 and New South Wales, is the tandan, Copidoglanis tandanus, Mitch. It grows to a length of two 

 feet or more, and is plentiful in the Murray River and its tributary Queensland streams ; it 

 also occurs in the Fitzroy. The flesh of the tandan is very rich and well flavoured, and has 

 been compared with that of the English eel. Copidoglanis la'vis and C. labrosns, De V., are two 

 other forms of the same genus that have been reported from the Queensland rivers. Several 

 varieties of sea catfishes belonging to the genus Arius are abundant in Moreton Bay and in 

 other parts of the coast, some of them, such as Arius tlialassiiiiis, attaining to a considerable size. 

 The so-called eel-catfishes or cat-fish eels, locally known as Jew-fishes, are also represented 

 by several species of the genus Plotosus. Some of these inhabit salt and others fresh water, 

 and all are more or less available for food purposes. An allied genus, Neosilurus, has repre- 

 sentatives at Rockhampton and in the rivers of Northern Queensland. 



Saurida argentea, illustrated by Plate XLVI., Fig. 3, is a species of fish which, in its general 

 shape and size, and in its possession of a small "dead" or "adipose" fin, bears some resemblance 

 to the European smelt, Osmerus. It occurs in some abundance at Cooktown, and has also been 

 obtained by the author at Townsville and Bowen. It, as a matter of fact, belongs to the 

 family group of the Scopelidae, and is nearly related to the Indian Harpodon neherens, which in its 

 dried state constitutes the celebrated " Bummaloe " or "Bombay Duck" of commerce, and is held 

 in much repute as a condiment for curries. The species now under notice, with which the title of 

 "Queensland Bummaloe" or "Queensland Smelt " may be appropriately associated, is excellent 

 eating ; and, suitably prepared, it might compete favourably for a position in the world's markets 

 beside its Indian congener. Illustrations of this species submitted by the author to Rockhampton 

 fishermen, were recognised by them as a fish called the "Shandy." 



The family of the garfishes, Scombresocidae, occupies an important position in relation to the 

 food supply of the Australian colonies. The most familiar forms of garfishes, belonging to the 



