nSH AND nSHERIES. 85 



a blind sac, pyloric appendages numerous. Gill apparatus much deve- 

 loped, the openings generally very wide. Air-bladder more or less 

 simple. Dentition feeble.* 



This family is not numerous in species, but is the most numerous in 

 individuals known. It comprises coast fishes spread all over tropical 

 and temperate seas. It was at one time thought that we had no true 

 Herrings, or if present not as numerously as the northern repre- 

 sentatives of the family, or as useful. The Hon. W. Macleay has 

 sufficiently disproved this, from whose essay on the subject! large use is 

 made in the following remarks. 



Herrings are rarely seen in our markets, but this is due to the fact 

 that the shoals do not as a rule enter our harbours, and to fish for them in 

 the open sea requires appliances not at present in the possession of our 

 fishermen. Our species are different from those of the northern hemi- 

 sphere, but in excellence as food they are not inferior. 



Anchovies or Engraidis have a compressed body with a very wide 

 lateral mouth, and a projecting upper jaw. Scales large. We have two 

 species, JE. antm'cticus, Casteln. and E. nasntus, Casteln. The first- 

 named species is by many eri'oneously believed to be identical or at most 

 a variety of E. encrassicholus, of Europe. Count Castelnau states that it 

 is very common in the Melbourne market at all seasons, and goes by the 

 name of " Whitebait." Mr. Macleay says it is never seen in Sydney 

 markets, or any species of Engraulis. He thinks that from its being 

 common at all seasons that it must be inferior to the real Anchovy at 

 least in economic value, because it belongs to that class of fishes whose 

 visits elsewhere are periodic and in enormous quantities ; that as this 

 anchovy does not occur in shoals, its fishery could never be of much 

 value. He however also considers it not unlikely that the specimens 

 may be young fish, and that the periodical haunts of the large shoals 

 have not yet been noticed. 



Chatoessus. — Mouth transverse, inferior, narrow, without teeth, upper 

 jaw overlapping the lower, abdomen serrated. Two species, C erehi, 

 C, richardsoni. These are fresh-water fishes which will be dealt with 

 separately. C. erebi is sometimes caught on the coast, and is called 

 "Bony Bream." 



Brishania. — Mouth wide, opening upwards, maxillary large, teeth 

 small and numerous, last ray of dorsal elongate, abdomen not serrated. 

 There is only one species of this fish, which is of a genus erected by 

 Count Castelnau for one known as yet only in the Brisbane Biver. 



Clupea. — True Herrings. Mouth small, teeth minute or none, 

 abdomen serrated, anal fin short. We have ten species if we include 

 the true sprat (C. sjyrattus) which is said by Giinther to be found in 



* In 1873, the number of herrings brought into Yarmouth and Lowestoft 

 (England), was 423 millions, of a value of £875,000. In France, in the same year, 

 the value of the herring fishery was £400,000 ; In 1876, the value of the same 

 fishery was £825,620. In Ireland, in the same year, it was £226,803. In Scotland 

 it has been yearly increasing, and in 1876 reached 598, 197 crans. 



•\ On the ClupeidcB of Australia. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., vol. 4, p. 363. 



