THE SCOPELOIDS. 53 



later developments have shown that their confidence was not 

 altogether misplaced. 



Probably this fish is to be found in some of the coastal 

 streams of South Australia ; but nothing definite appears to 

 be known. 



In the rivers of New South Wales it can hardly be 

 stated to be common, and if we were to go on what has 

 been published in the way of records, it must be set down 

 as rather rare; but it appears to me highly probable, that 

 a closer acquaintance with the denizens of our streams, will 

 reveal the fact that in parts at least, it is not uncommon.* 

 The accompanying diagram, which clearly shows the 

 arrangement of the fins, should enable the reader to iden- 

 tify this species, should he come across it in coastal rivers 

 of New South Wales ; and, in this connection, it may be 

 mentioned that the Australian Grayling does not possess 

 the beautiful spotted appearance of the introduced Trout 

 notably the Rainbow Trout, which is likely to be met with 

 more often than any other but rather a more uniform 

 Herring-like colour. 



This species is very prolific, and attains a length of 

 about 12 inches. 



THE SCOPELOIDS. 



(Family: Scopelidce.} 



THIS is a large family of fishes, comprising over 100 living 

 species, as well as a great number of fossil forms. They 

 are chiefly deep-sea or pelagic fishes ; some being found in 

 immense abysmal depths of the ocean. Of those which in- 

 habit our waters, the most important is the so-called 

 Sergeant Baker (Aulopus purpurissatus) . This hand- 

 some fish attains a length of over 2 feet, and as a table fish 

 is very fine. The body is elongate and round. Apart from 

 the Parrot-fishes or Wrasses there are not many species of 



* The author will be glad of any information in regard to the occur- 

 rence of this useful little fish in New South Wales waters. 



