EDIBLE EISHES OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 103 



protected by a flap, the posterior circular and jjateut. Upper profile of 

 head slightly rounded. Upper jaw a little the longer. Cleft of mouth 

 small and transverse, the maxilla not extending to more than half way 

 along the snout. Preopercle finely denticulated on the vertical limb : 

 opercle with a blunt point. Teeth in the jaws villiform with an outer 

 enlarged row ; on the vomer in an angular band. Dorsal spines weak, the 

 second the longest, l"50-l"7o in the length of the head ; second dorsal not 

 nearly so high as the first, its base one fifth longer than that of the anal : 

 the anal commences opposite the seconder third dorsal ray, and ends opposite 

 the fifteenth : ventral fin extending from five sevenths to one half of the 

 distance between its origin and the vent, its length, l"50-2'00 in that of 

 the head; the outer ray slightly filamentous: pectorals from 1";jO-1 75 in 

 the same : caudal emarginate, the least height of the pedicle 215-2'33 in the 

 height of the body. Scales adherent ; none on the preorbital or anterior 

 half of the snout; rows of minute scales behind the dorsal and anterior 

 anal rays. 



Colors. — Sandy brown above with purple and green reflections ; upper 

 surface of head and the snout olive green ; a broad but rather indistinct 

 yellowish band along the middle of the sides : spinous dorsal with faint dusky 

 blotches, the rayed with rows of blackish spots ; anal and venti^al golden ; 

 pectorals pale brown with a darker base ; caudal yellowish with blackish 

 margins. 



The principal breeding season of this Sillago extends from the middle of 

 October nearly to Christmas, according to the bulk of the specimens 

 examined by us, and this is fairly in harmony with the evidence of Mr. Glover, 

 who states that in Twofold Bay : — " They spawn in December, up the river, 

 and also on sand-banks in the bay. I have caught them very small in 

 April" ; and of Mr. Hood Pegus, who, speaking of the Clarence Heads, 

 remarks : — " Whiting are most plentiful in January, and spawn in November, 

 December, and January." Eelying on the evidence of Mr. C. Smith, the 

 Eoval Commissioners say : — " We are inclined to think that this Whiting" — • 

 undoubtedly S. ciliata, not S. maculata as supposed by the Commission — 

 " has two spawning seasons in the year, but if so, and there is little reason 

 to doubt it, the spring" (winter?) " spawning is much the least important." 

 That there are two distinct seasons during which this species, and in all 

 probability yS*. M«ewZa!^a also, sheds its spawn, admits of no doubt, but, as 

 mentioned before, the main body of adult fish deposit their ova during the 

 earlv months of summer, while those which utilise June and July for this 

 purpose are, as a rule, smaller, not fully adult, fish, which are possibly 

 obeying the instincts of nature for the first time ; there is, therefore, we 

 consider, but one breeding season in the year for each individual fish. We 

 are not in a position to state whether the fry of this fish protects itself by 

 seeking refuge in holes in the sand, as mentioned in the account of the 

 preceding species. 



In its habits this species does not materially difi^er from S. maculata, but, 

 being a larger and more handsome fish, it commands an even higher price 

 in the market, and is, of all our food fishes, the one which is most in request 

 for the breakfast table of those who can afford its price. The bulk of the 

 Whitings sent to the Sydney Market are captured by means of the seine 

 net, but they are also taken l)y hook and line. 



Mr. Hill, refering to this species under the name of S. maculata, says: — ■ 

 " The Whiting may be caught with hook and line ofi" sandy beaches or sand- 

 spits, and in ojien sandy bays on the coast, in smooth water. The best baif 

 is a live earthworm, although they v»-ill also take a fish bait, but not so 



