THE OSTEOGLOSSIDS. 25 



wider distribution than the preceding species, being found 

 in all tropical seas. It reaches a length of about 4 feet. An 

 interesting point in connection with this species, is that 

 the young are not like the parents at first, but are ribbon- 

 shaped, long, thin and transparent; passing through a 

 metamorphosis very similar to that seen in the Conger Eels 

 (page 48). They are first band-shaped, with a very small 

 head and loose, transparent tissues. Then they grow shorter 

 and more compact, shrinking from ^/ 2 inches to about 2 

 inches in length. The Giant Herring is found at intervals 

 in the Sydney Fish Markets ; and, more commonly, in those 

 at Brisbane. It is not at present much sought after as food 

 in Australia. In America, where it also occurs, it is recog- 

 nised as a "game-fish," and is known under the names of 

 Bony-fish, Ten-pounder, John Mariggle, etc., etc 



THE OSTEOGLOS8IDS. 



(Family : Osteoglossida-. ) 



THE fishes of this family belong to a very ancient type 

 amongst teleosteans. Externally they have the body covered 

 with very large and hard scales of a mosaic-like structure. 

 The largest fresh- water fish (teleostean) in the world is in- 

 cluded amongst these. This is the Arapaima of Brazil, 

 which attains a length of 15 feet, with a weight of upwards 

 of 400 pounds. In Australia the Osteoglossids are repre- 

 sented by two species, both of which are found in Queens- 

 land. The principal one is that known to Queenslanders 

 as Barramundi (Scleropages leichhardti). At least two 

 other fishes in Queensland, viz. : the Giant Perch and the 

 Lung-fish, are also known in parts by the name of Barra- 

 mundi, but it is to the Osteoglossid that it should be re- 

 stricted. The flesh of this fish is highly esteemed as food 

 in those localities at which it is found. It is said to rise 

 to the "fly" well. Attaining a length of 2 to 3 feet, it has 

 an elongate, compressed body, with a trenchant lower edge. 



