16 THE EDIBLE FISHES OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 
acute spine directed backwards. The pectoral fins, which, 
as in the true Flying-fishes, form the so-called “ wings,” 
are greatly enlarged in the adult, though comparatively short 
in the young. The body is somewhat stout and squat, and 
the scales are exceedingly rough. 
Though not likely.to become of economic importance 
on this coast, this species is already favorably known as 
an edible fish. It attains a length of 12 inches, or more. 
NOTOTHENIOID FISHES. 
Congolly or Sandy (Pseudaphritis urvillii). 
A somewhat Whiting-like fish of no present importance. 
It has a most curious geographical distribution, occurring 
both in the Murray River, in fresh water, and along the 
sea-coast as well. It has an elongate, cylindrical body, and 
grows to a length of about 12 inches. 
BLENNIES. 
River Blackfish (Gadopsis marmoratus). 
Prate LXXX. 
One is usually inclined to regard the Blennies as, alto- 
gether, a “little people,’ and quite beneath notice from an 
edible point of view, but there are a few giants among them. 
The largest of all is well! known to Europeans as the “Sea 
Wolf,” or “Sea Cat’; and the greatest Australian Blenny 
is the River Blackfish, familiar to many country-folk by the 
name of ‘‘ Slippery.” 
This is a fresh water fish occurring in the upland streams 
of the southern tableland of New South Wales, where it 
attains a length of at least 24 inches. It is of considerable 
value as an edible fish, and of some importance as a game- 
fish, fighting well when hooked. 
The exact systematic position of the genus Gadopsts is 
still, I think, open to some doubt, though it appears to have 
more in common with the Blennies than with any other 
group of fishes. 
