FISH AND FISHERIES. 55 



rounded, distinctly denticulated ; pectorals pointed, with a large skinny 

 flap at the axil; soft dorsal with a scaly sheath at base; thirty to thirty-two 

 rays, anal one spinous, eight soft rays ; length reaching 3 or 4 feet. 



The Teraglin is also a large and valuable fish, caixght in the same way and at 

 the same time as the jew-fish, but seldom reaching such a great size. The air- 

 bladder of some of the same genus of fishes is of great value for isinglass, and 

 forms a valuable article of export on the Indian and Malacca coasts, the merely 

 dried bladder being worth equal to 3s. per lb. In our species — the teraglin — the 

 air-bladder is of great size and excellent quality, and treated in the same way, 

 that is without any preparation or outlay except that of drying in the sun, would 

 probably add from threepence to sixpence to the value of each fish caught. — R.R.C. 



The name Teraglin is stated by Mr. Hill to be an aboriginal one. 

 The same author refers to a fish called the " Silver Jew-fish," which he 

 considered from the form of the scales to be a diflferent fish. Probably 

 thei"e was some mistake in the application of the native name, which 

 it would seem Mr. Hill applied to the young of the true jew-fish, and 

 his " Silver Jew " was the true Teraglin in its young stage. He adds 

 that the " Silver Jew has all the appearance of one which would 

 recommend itself ; and certainly no one has as yet been deceived who 

 ventured on the mere hypothesis of judging by appearance.* It is 

 splendid when fresh caught, and also keeps pretty well if immediately 

 cleaned after capture. They do not attain to a large size — 31bs. to 51bs. 

 weight. Silvery bright, and rapid swimmers, they love a good depth 

 of water, and bite freely, now and then, at the ordinary bait. The 

 tackle should be as fine as possible consistent with the strength of the 

 fish, and the hooks well chosen. These fishes have much of the habit 

 of their larger popular namesake, and frequently come in with the net. 

 I doubt, however, whether the silver jew belongs either to the family or 

 the genus of what is called or known as the jew-fish. 



" It will be interesting to have these three fishes described, and from 

 their particularly identical habits, one would almost imagine that they 

 belong to the same family. The aboriginals, in whose sagacity I place 

 great faith in such matters, have coupled two of these fishes only — 

 mittila and teraglin. The silver jew, in all probability, has received 

 its popular name from its similarity of habit." 



The Sword-fish. 



Of the family Xijyhiidce or sword-fish, which have the upper jaw 

 produced into a long sword-like weapon. We have one species which 

 is occasionally seen at Port Jackson (Histio2jho')-v,s gladms), Brouss. On 

 July 4, 1 880, a specimen was stranded at Wollongong nearly 14 feet long. 

 The sword-fish is very dangerous to the schnapper fishermen. Mr. 



* Mr. Oliver forwards me the following note on this subject : — " I do not think 

 that the ' Teraglin' can be the same species as that popularly known as the 

 'Silver Jew.' Certainly the small silvery fish called 'Jews' caught in the Hunter 

 River, Lake Macquarie, and the rivers and inlets of our coasts are not Teraglins. 

 They may be, and probably are, the young of Scicena antarctica, but in my opinion 

 they are not Otolithus. The teraglin is a delicious fish, and is caught generally in 

 offings or near the .Sydney Heads. The little jew is caught up rivers, never in 

 offings, and is -UTetched eatmg. I admit, however, that I have not compared 

 them according to the scientific description." 



