138 The South Australian Naturalist. 



cabinetmakers, and it is still employed for the handles of dress 

 swords. The gill slits, usually five, in one species seven, in 

 number, are not covered, and appear as separate openings. In 

 foetal life the gill-filaments protrude through these openings 

 and also from the spiracle, which is another orifice developed, 

 in some forms, behind the eye. This spiracle is often large in 

 Rays, and forms the main channel for breathing, the gill- 

 openings being underneath and in contact with mud or sand. 

 In Sharks the gill-openings are on the sides, and this condition, 

 together with the circumstance that the pectoral fins are free 

 from the head, constitutes the obvious difference between the 

 two orders. Sharks are free swimmers, though some sluggish 

 forms, like the Rays, live on the sea bottom. 



Of the bony fishes, the Herrings and Minnows are first 

 noticed. They are frequently confounded with the Grey 

 Mullets, but can be at once distinguished by the single fin on 

 the back. The Silverside and Smelt have an apology for a 

 second fin, but it is without supporting rays. The next order 

 comprises the Sergeant Baker and Lantern Fishes ; the last- 

 named bear a number of light organs disposed mainly on the 

 lower edge of the body ; when fully lighted they must resemble, 

 in miniature, an ocean liner with its ports aglow. The Cat- 

 fishes are so named from the ''whiskers" that surround the 

 mouth. Three years ago the author obtained six little speci- 

 mens in one of the Murray billabongs ; they have been kept 

 in an aquarium, and all have survived the somewhat extreme 

 temperatures of the Adelaide summers and winters. Four 

 kinds of eels are listed, and an account of their wonderful life- 

 history is supplied, it being now known that eels breed in deep 

 water, hundreds of miles from land. Of the European Conger 

 it is said that it forms the foundation of the aldermanic turtle 

 soup, to which the Turtle furnishes only the garnish and the 

 name. An excellent picture is supplied of the largest South 

 Australian Worm Eel so far known. The Pipe-fishes and Sea- 

 horses are among the quaintest of all our fishes, ranging from the 

 simple needle-like forms to the extremely angular-bodied Sea- 

 dragons, beset with spines which bear seaweed-like streamers. 

 The most interesting feature of this group of fishes, however, 

 concerns the breeding habits. The male takes charge of the eggs 

 and carries them, until they hatch, either in a brood pouch, or 

 attached to the under side of his body or tail. Parental 

 care is exercised until the young ones are able to take 

 care of themselves. Another order includes the Billfish, 

 Bellows Fishes and Pipe Fishes has already appeared in the 

 pages of the ''Naturalist" (vol. — , p. — ), and need not be 

 further referred to here. Another order includes the Billfish, 

 which has the habit of jumping out of the water and skimming 



