OF ANCIENT LINEAGE. 2/7 
The Freshwater Herring is seen in its greatest abundance 
during the spawning season, which is about midwinter. At 
this time huge shoals congregate in the estuaries of the rivers, 
whither they have made their way to spawn. During the 
breeding season the normal shape of the fish is greatly altered, 
so much, indeed, as to give it the appearance of a different 
species. This is due to the greatly increased depth or height 
of the fish, brought about by the enormcus development of 
the reproductive organs, both ovaries and milt. 
The teeth of the Freshwater Herring are very tiny. The 
scales are large, smooth, and firmly adherent—not deciduous 
as in the case of the common Herring. Like the latter fish 
also, it has well-developed adipose eyelids. 
This is a beautiful little fish when fresh, being, with the 
exception of a narrow greenish strip along the back, of a 
uniform silvery color. Soon after capture a good deal of its 
brilliance disappears, the back and sides then being of a straw 
color, or olive-green, with the belly silvery; a broad silvery, 
dark-edged, longitudinal band running down the middle of 
the sides. 
The Freshwater Herring is known in different parts under 
various names. It is one of our gentler sporting-fishes, being 
often captured by “knights of the rod,” and taking a bait 
freely. 
Sandy Sprat (Hyperlophus spratellides). 
-This delicate little fish is destined to be of great importance 
in future fishing operations in the waters of New South Wales, 
occurring, as it does, always plentifully and at times in really 
prodigious numbers. It is a pretty little fish, almost trans- 
parent when alive, frequenting sandy localities along the New 
South Wales coast, and attains to a length of 3 or 4 inches. 
With its relative, the Freshwater Herring, this little clupeid 
is of some interest scientifically, in that it is one of the so- 
called ‘‘ Rough-backed Herrings,” which were known to occur 
in a fossil state long before any existing species were dis- 
covered. Reference to this matter will be found in “ Fishes 
of Australia.” 
