A LITTLE-KNOWN FISH. 43 
The flesh of the Flat-tail Mullet is of fine flavor when 
taken fresh, and is cften considered to be superior to that of 
other mullets. This, however, is probably a matter of opinion, 
as it is hard to find two people, taken casually, who will express 
the same opinion in regard to the respective flavors of various 
kinds of fish, particularly if the latter be allied species. 
This fish grows exceptionally to a length of about 18 inches 
(or even more), with a weight of 2 pounds; the usual length 
of those marketed, however, would range from 9g to 12 inches. 
In form the Flat-tail Mullet is more compressed or slab- 
sided than the Sea Mullet; the scales, too, are somewhat 
larger, and consequently less numerous; while the eye is devoid 
of the fleshy ld. 
The colors are as follows :—Steel-blue above, silvery on 
the sides, white below. The scales of the back and sides have 
each a narrow longitudinal streak along the middle, forming 
bands; often with golden reflections. There is a small black 
spot at the root of the pectoral fin, preceded by a bright 
golden blotch. The second dorsal, anal, and caudal fins are 
tinged with gold on their outer margins. 
Silver Mullet (MZugil georgi). 
This beautiful mullet, though plentiful in our northern 
waters and occurring at times in very considerable numbers, 
has been until quite recently practically unrecognised. In fact 
it was only described as recently as 1897, by Mr. J. D. Ogilby, 
the description being founded upon a single small specimen 
obtained by him at George’s River (an arm of Botany Bay) 
during 1895. Notwithstanding this, there is little doubt in 
my mind that the species must have appeared in the markets 
from time to time long before this date, mixed up with con- 
signments of either Flat-tail or Sea Mullet. To my knowledge 
this has happened since on a number of occasions. 
The Silver Mullet is the Icast, in point cf size, of our 
known mullets, attaining maturity at a small size, full-grown 
examples being of a length of from g to 10 inches. The 
southernmost water of New South Wales from which we have 
obtained this species, so far, is Bateman’s Bay. From this 
