EDIBLE PISHES OE NEW SOUTH WALES. 71 



Like all its congeners B. ajjinis is an iulaabitant of moderate depths, only- 

 approaching the shore at intervals, and the reason for this periodical migra- 

 tion is not quite appai^eut, for, since those which are sent to the market do 

 not show any signs of breeding, it does not appear that the exercise of this 

 important function is in any way connected with this seasonal iudrawiug to 

 our coasts and estuaries. 



In the Report of the Eoyal Commission the following paragraph occurs: — 

 " It is seldom seen full roed, and we have not found that the very young fish 

 are even seen in our harbors or on our coasts, so that it may be fairly 

 infered that the Nannygai does not as a rule spawn in this vicinity ;" with 

 the first sentence our experience entirely coincides ; but with the second we 

 are unable to agree so cordially, having obtained specimens on several 

 occasions both from Port Jackson and Botany Bay, which did not exceed 

 two inches in length, while we have seen one measuring five inches, which was 

 taken by hook and line in Port Jackson, the season being about midwinter. 

 In the same Report the statement is made that " to the north its range 

 seems to be unlimited," but we can find no authority for this, nor do Ave 

 think it is at all likely to be correct ; Saville Kent makes no mention of it 

 among the edible fishes of Queensland. As a matter of fact we do not know 

 its exact northern limit in the seas of our own Colony, while we do know 

 that it makes periodical visits to the whole extent of our southerly seaboard, 

 and even extends its range in that direction to the Tasmanian coast, where, 

 however, Johnston considers it I'are. As it also inhabits New Zealand waters, 

 the occurrence of this deep sea form on both shores strengthens the sugges- 

 tion made on p. 57 that between that colony and Australia extensive deep sea 

 banks and reefs are preseat, which have only to be discovered and worked to 

 make them a source of incalculable profit to the Colonies at large. Of 

 course the methods of fishing now prevalent in these Colonies must be 

 revolutionized before such a consummation can be hoped for. 



The Nannygai attains a length of at least twenty inches. 



Family XII.-SGI^NIDiE. 



Branchiostegals seven : pseudobranchite present, concealed, or absent. 

 Body compressed and rather elongate. Mouth in front of or below the 

 snout. Eye lateral, of moderate size. Cheeks without armature. Pre- 

 opercle without bony stay : opercle not or feebly armed. Barbels sometimes 

 present. Muciferous system of the head well developed. Teeth in villiform 

 bands, with or without canines : cutting or molariform teeth never present 

 in the jaws : palate edentulous. Two dorsal fins, the spines of the first 

 usually feeble ; the second much more developed than the first : anal with 

 oiie or two spines : pectoral rays branched and without free filaments : ventrals 

 thoracic, with one spine and five rays. Scales ctenid or eyelid, covering 

 the head and snout. Lateral line complete, often continued on to the caudal 

 fin. Stomach coecal. Airbladder, when present, with branching or elongate 

 appendages. Pyloric appendages in small or moderate numbers. 



Geographical distrihution. — Tropical and subtropical seas, less common 

 in the South Pacific. Giinther remarks that they " are chiefly coast fishes 

 of the tropical and subtropical Atlantic and Indian Oceans, prefering 

 the neighborhood of the mouths of large rivers, into which they freely 

 enter, some of the species having become so completely naturalised that 

 they are never found nowadays in the sea. Some of the larger species 

 wander far from their orgiual home, and are not rarely found at distant 



