lOtt NEW SOUTH WALES 



limb of the latter. Dules atirahts is a common synonym. Ctenolatus 

 was a genus erected by Guntlier for this species, which he then called 

 C. macquarie-ttsis, but it would seem now as if the genus was abandoned 

 by him, while Mr. Macleay thinks it should be preserved. 



The Silver Perch. 



The "silver perch" or "bream" (Therapon rkhardsonU) \s the perfection of 

 fishes, extremely rich and delicate in flavour. It frequents running streams more 

 than the last-mentioned fish, which is often found in lagoons and billabungs, and 

 it affords good sport to the angler. A full-gi-owu fish attains a weight of 5 or 6 

 lbs. It is not caught often with the hook, the very small size of its mouth pre- 

 venting its taking the hooks in common use. — R.R.C. 



The genus Therafon is very extensively represented in Australia. It 

 is partly marme, and partly fresh water, and spread over the whole 

 area of the tropical Indo-Pacific. T. tlieroi:)s, T. servus, and T. cuvieri are 

 very common in Australia, and extend from the east coast of Africa to 

 Polynesia. They are readily recognized by the blackish longitudinal 

 bands with which they are marked. All the spines are small. The 

 genus has an oblong compressed body, with scales of moderate size. 

 Viliform teeth, those of vomer and palatine rudimentary or absent. 

 Dorsal fin with depression in upper margin, twelve or thirteen spines, 

 the anal fin with three. Preoperculum serrated. The average length 

 of T. richardsonii is about 11 inches. The preorbital is very 

 strongly serrated, the preoperculum is rounded, armed with a series 

 of long spines posteriorily, and shorter ones below. The operculum 

 has two spines, the lowest being the longest ; spines of the anal very 

 long, particularly the longest ; colour, greyish blue, lower parts 

 dirty white, sides yellow, scales bordered with black, head bluish, 

 lips and lower parts rosy, eye yellow, first dorsal dark, rays purple, the 

 second dull yellow below, black above, caudal black, anal with purple 

 rays, ventrals white, rays rosy, pectorals yellow at base, black above. 

 Found in all the rivers of the Murray system, and called Kooberry by 

 the natives. To distinguish it from the other sjDecies, the catalogue of 

 Macleay must be consulted, as they are very numerous. 



There are several other percoid fishes of good size and quality found 

 in the Murray Piver system, such as Therapon niger, Murrayia 

 giintheri, cyprinoides and bramoides, and Riverina Jluviatilis, all 

 described by the late Count Castelnau. There are besides several species 

 of Percidaj of small size, which are useless except as food for other 

 fishes. 



Murrayia is a genus placed by Count Castelnau between Dules and 

 Tlierapon. It has eleven dorsal spines, the operculum is denticulated 

 in all its length. A line of small teeth on the palatine bones, the 

 caudal fin is rounded, scales minutely serrated, and the head 

 cavernous. It is peculiar to Australian rivers. 



Riverina resembles Murrayia^ but has twelve spines in the dorsal 

 fin, and is without teeth on the palatine bones. It is found on the 

 Murray, but rarely. 



The pi-ofessional fishermen at Wagga Wagga, on the Murrumbidgee, and at 

 Albury and Echuca, on the Murray (the first supplying Sydney with fish, the 

 others ]SIelbourne), use, Ave are told, a net with a long pocket in the middle, which 



