74 CRUSTACEA. 



of Port Stephens, the supply of this crustacean is unlimited. 

 There are many parts of the coast too distant from Sydney 

 for the supply of that market, where establishments for 

 the "canning" of this valuable crustacean could be pro- 

 fitably undertaken. In this connection it maybe noted that 

 experimental attemjots in the canning of this cray-fish have 

 yielded most promising results. 



Another species of cray-fish {Palinnrus Lalandu) is often 

 to be seen in the shop-windows of the Sydney fishmongers, 

 but it chiefly comes from Tasmania. It is seldom found on 

 the coast of New South "Wales north of Twofold Bay. It is 

 not nearly so large as the Sydney cray-fish, but is said to be 

 •equally valuable as food. 



Of the true lobsters New South Wales can only boast of a 

 very few, and these entirely confined to fresh Avater. Under 

 the name " Marami " are included two or more species of 

 Astacopsis, found in all the creeks and mud holes of the 

 country. They are not much used as food, probably on 

 account of their small size — seldom exceeding 4 or 5 inches 

 in length, for they are as good to eat as any of the tribe. 



One species, however, forms an exception to the others in 

 point of size; it is the lobster of the Murrumbidgee and 

 Murray system of Hivers — Astacopsis spinifer. This beauti- 

 fully coloured lobster attains a. considerable size, averaging a 

 foot in length, and is esteemed a great delicacy. It is largely 

 consumed by the residents on these rivers during the winter 

 months — the season when they are in the best condition and 

 most readily caught. 



The prawn {Pencuns esculentus) is abundant in most of 

 our shallow bays and harbours, and is a most popular article 

 of food amongst all classes. The consumption of this 

 crustacean is so great that fears have been expressed that 

 the supply might become exhausted, and it is undoubted that 

 the size of some of those brought to market now is often 

 much below the average of former years. 



Another fine species of Fencens is found in the Murrum- 

 bidgee and the other western rivers. It is of fair size, and is 

 said to be extremely good. 



A s^^jecies of Alphe us i\dim.Q(\. the "Nipper" is abundant 

 in Port Jackson, and is a good deal sought for, but not so 

 much for food as for bait for black-bream fishing. 



The following remarks respecting the breeding of prawns 

 have been supplied by Mr. E. E. Pull, of Newcastle. Mr. 



