150 EDIBLE FISHES OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 



concave before, convex hehind, the e^'es. Upper jaw Ihc longer. Cleft of 

 mouth oblique, the maxilla extendinti; to the posterior fourth of the orbit, or 

 between that and the hinder margin. A small, llatteued, opercular spine. 

 Both jaws with a band of small cardiform teeth and an outer series of much 

 enlarged, widely set, conical ones ; small teeth in a patch on the vomer, and 

 in bands ou the palatine bones. The dorsal fin commences above the anterior 

 third of the pectoral ; the spines increase in length to the last, which is one 

 sixth shorter than the first ray, and 3'50— I'OO in the length of the head ; the 

 longest dorsal and anal rays are immediately in front of the last ray : the 

 anal commences beneath the fourth dorsal ray ; the spines are much stronger 

 than those of the dorsal, tlie third the longest, equal in length to the last 

 dorsal spine : ventral fin divided to the base, the inner lobe filamentous, 

 1"75-2'10 in the length of the head, and 2'75 in the distance between its 

 origin and the vent, whitdi is situated slightly in front of the middle of the 

 total length : pectoral well developed, rounded, l'S5-210 in the length of 

 the head : caudal rounded, the least height of the pedicle 2 75 in the height 

 of the body. Scales concentrically sculptured. Lateral line following the 

 curvature of the back, its tubes simple. 



Colors. — Pale olive green or yellowish-brown on the back and sides, marbled 

 with more or less iiumerous, irregular, dark brown blotches ; abdominal 

 region pale yellow, with or without blotches : vertical fins yellowish-brown 

 blotched with darker brown ; ventrals and pectorals immaculate, the latter 

 with or without a basal yellow band : irides silvery. 



This species is so variable, not only in its coloration, but also in its com- 

 parative measurements, and the number of spines and rays in the dorsal fin, 

 that we consider the differences between the typical form and the two 

 species described by INlcCoy, great as they may appear individually, to be 

 only such as might be expected to occur in a freshwater species of wide 

 range, and which exists under such varying conditions of life and diversities 

 of climate. Eeferring to the same subject Johnston writes: — -"Having 

 closely studied the variability of the Tasmanian G. marmoratus I am unable 

 to admit that the characters which distinguish G. gracilis and G. gihhosus 

 are sufficient to separate them from l^ichardson's G. marmoratus^ for the 

 individual variations of the latter species in the North Ewk and other rivers 

 of Tasmania are greater than the differences which Prof. McCoy considers 

 to form distinct specific characters." He then proceeds to enumerate the 

 variations in seven individuals taken together from a spot near Corra Lynn 

 on the North Esk ; these are as follows : — Dorsal fin, 11-13/26-2S ; head 

 to total length 4'0-4"9. Prom these data he concludes that neither of 

 McCoy's species caa be admitted, and goes on to say : — " It is very hazardous 

 in this genus to create a new species based upon the examination of only 

 two or three individuals " : with -which remark we cordially agree. 



No mention is made anywhere, so far as we have been able to ascertain, 

 of the breeding seascni or the place of the deposition of the spawn of this 

 fish, but the former doubtless differs considerably with the latitude; 

 specimens, however, from the Bell Kiver, A\^ellington, were shedding their 

 spawn when obtained during the month of October. The ripe ova are few' 

 in number, of large size, and orange colored. 



Their food consists of worms, small niolluscs and crustaceans, insects, 

 and entomostraca. They take a bait freely ; but, according to Tenison 

 Woods are " generally caught by emptying the waterholes, when the heat 

 of summer has partially dried them up." They are said to be good eating, 

 but, like all mud fishes, very rich and oily. 



