EDIBLE riSHES OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 127 



between the hinder nostril and the orbit. Preorbital minutely denticulate 

 along its inferior, more strongly so on its posterior edge, expanded behind. 

 The distance between the origin of the spinous dorsal and the base of the 

 caudal is 1"25-1'50 in that between the same point and the top of the 

 snout; the first dorsal spine is the longest, l"7o-2'15 in the length of the 

 head ; the distance between the origins of the two dorsal fins is much less 

 than the length of the head : the anal commences considerably in front of 

 the soft dorsal, and its anterior rays are longer than those of that fin ; the 

 posterior rays are not produced beyond the median : the ventral extends 

 midway between its origin and that of the anal, and is 1"60-180 in the 

 length of the head : the pectoral reaches to the tenth or eleventh body 

 scale, and is l'-iU-l'60 in the length of the head : caudal deeply emarginate, 

 the least height of the pedicle is more than the distance between the last 

 dorsal ray and the base of the caudal, and one half or rather more than one 

 half of the length of the head. Fifteen to seventeen scales between the 

 occiput and the origin of the spinous dorsal, six on the interspace between 

 the dorsals, and seven or eight between the rayed dorsal and the caudal ; 

 no enlarged axillary scale. 



Colors. — Steel blue above, silvery on the sides, white below ; scales of 

 the back with a narrow median longitudinal streak forming bauds, and often 

 with golden reflections ; a small black axillary spot preceded by a golden 

 blotch : soft dorsal, anal, and caudal fins tinged with gold on the outer 

 margin. 



Though the Flat-tailed Mullet does not attain to a commercial importance 

 similar to that of its larger relative, the Sea Mullet, nor possesses the excep- 

 tional richness of flesh peculiar to that species, it forms no inconsiderable 

 part of our food resources, and is abundant, and in good condition through- 

 out almost the whole year. 



The spawning season appears to be spread over a number of mouths, 

 specimens examined during December having been ripe for spawning, while 

 others of the same catch had the ova in all different developments between 

 that and the barely possible discernment of its formation in the ovaries ; the 

 main body, however, appears to shed their spawn about the latter end of 

 spring or during the early winter months, but at any time between December 

 and June, inclusive, spawning fishes may be observed. This prolongation of 

 the breeding season doubtless accounts for the fact that they are rarely 

 noticed to arrive in the enormous shoals, for which we are accustomed to 

 look in the case of Mugil dobula. The Flat-tailed Mullet does not penetrate 

 up the rivers to such an extent as does the preceding species, but prefers 

 shallow sandy bays in the various inlets which indent our coasts. 



In habits, feeding, &c., it differs in no wise from the other species of 

 Mugil. As food it is excellent, and not being so oily as the Sea Mullet is 

 more delicate in flavor, and more adapted for these reasons to the use of 

 invalids. 



This fish is found along our coast from south to north, but in the former 

 direction quickly decreases in numbers, and though originally described 

 from "Western Port, Victoria,— erroneously stated by its describers as being 

 situated on the north-western coast of New Holland {pris sur la cote nord- 

 ouest de la Nouvelle- Hollande dans le port Western*) — is so scarce in that 

 Colony that it only seems to have been recorded in one instance, by Casteluau, 



* This is evidently an error, since Dumont D'Ur^-ille's expedition only explored the southern coast of 

 Australia and Tasmania. 



