THE DORAB. HERRINGS. 27 



able-looking monster, as it attains a length of fully 12 feet. 

 When captured it is said to bite viciously at every object 

 within reach. It is not of great value from an economic 

 standpoint. The Dorab (this is the name by which it is 

 known in "the east") has very formidable teeth, an elongate, 

 highly-compressed body, and thin deciduous scales. The 

 dorsal fin is short, and situated opposite the anal fin, which 

 is long. The ventral fins are very small, and have 7 rays. 



THE HERRING FAMILY. 



(Family: Clupeida.) 



AMONGST the fishes of the world, the herring family is 

 second to none from the point of view of their commercial 

 importance. Though usually of small size, they are remark- 

 able for the enormous number of individuals by which a few 

 of the species are represented, rather than by the multiplicity 

 of the species themselves though there are a great many 

 species. The fact that some of the most valuable kinds 

 associate at certain periods in immense shoals, accounts for 

 the great usefulness of this family, as a food-supply to man. 

 Probably the next family in order of importance would be 

 that of the Scdmonidce. The herring family is well repre- 

 sented in Australian waters, and some of the species are 

 destined in the future let us hope the near future to 

 become veritable mines of wealth for persons of enterprise 

 in our country. Amongst the more important that are 

 worthy of mention, are the following: The Pilchard 

 (Clupanodon neopilchardus}, the Herring (Sardinella cas- 

 telnaui), the Sandy Sprat (Hyperlophus spratellides) , 

 and the Anchovy (Engrattlis antipodmn}. The large 

 Salmon-Herring (Chanos chanos), the Fresh-water 

 Herring (Potamalosa novce-hollandia'} and the so-called 

 Bony-Bream (Dorosoma erebi) also belong, among 

 others, to this family. 



Of the above, the Pilchard is by far the most im- 

 portant, occurring as it does at certain seasons, in enormous 



