8o FISHES OF AUSTRALIA. 



Newcastle, in New South Wales, to at least the same lati- 

 tude in Western Australia, occurring also commonly in Tas- 

 mania and New Zealand. In Victoria and Tasmania it is 

 considered to be of considerable importance : chiefly because 

 of its abundance. It has not the edible value of the Sea 

 Mullet. 



To a great extent this species frequents sandy ground, 

 living upon the organisms contained in the sand. It is quite 

 commonly obtained by means of hook and line. 



In Victoria, this Mullet is known as "Sea-Mullet"; a 

 most unfortunate circumstance, when the great difference 

 between it and that species, is taken into account. 



In Western Australia, it is usually called "Swan-River 

 Herring," which is still more unfortunate, as there is nothing 

 ot the Herring about this fish. 



This species attains about the same size as the Flat-tail 

 Mullet. 



There is no fleshy lid to the eye, and the scales are very 

 small ; there being about 60 rows along the body. 



In colour it is steel-blue on the back, the sides being 

 silvery- white and the belly whitish. The iris of each eye 

 is of a pretty orange-yellow tint, whence the common name 

 which I have applied to it. 



THREADFINS OR TASSEL-FISHES 



( Family : Polynemidce . ) 



THIS family comprises numerous species of tropical fishes, 

 chiefly characterised by the presence of long filaments, which 

 are used as organs of touch, situated near to the pectoral 

 fins. They are coastal fishes, the majority of them entering 

 brackish, or even fresh, water. The body is rather com- 

 pressed, and is covered with smooth or fairly-smooth scales. 

 The snout is prominent, projecting beyond the mouth. The 

 long pectoral filaments may be moved quite independently of 

 the fins. They vary in number in different species ; ranging 

 from 3 in some to as many as 14 in others. So finely 



