THE PERCH FAMILY. 105 



this shield on each side being- that known as the supra- 

 clat'iclc. The Pearl Perclr is a deep-water fish, apparently 

 frequenting usually deeper water than that in which the 

 Snapper dwells. There is no special fishery established 

 for it, and, usually the only time it is brought to market 

 (in New South Wales at least) is when it is captured by 

 parties (in the vicinity of the northern rivers of New South 

 Wales) out "snappering." It is a pity that the fish is 

 not brought in more often, as it is a species of great edible 

 value. 



In colour, the Pearl Perch is a most beautiful silver 

 with, usually, darker spots on each scale. 



It has a very large mouth and prominent "saucer- 

 eyes" as in most moderately-deep-water forms. Closelv 

 allied species are found in both Japan and Western Australia. 



In regard to the use of the curious bony epaulettes, 

 apparently nothing definite is known, but it appears to me 

 highly probable that they are really "lamps," that is, that 

 the black skin which covers them is phosphorescent. 



The Pearl Perch reaches a length of about 2 feet. 



The Old Wife : In this curious fish is to be seen a 

 most wonderful departure from the general Perch shape 

 as it has a deep, highly compressed, and very short body 

 with very high pointed fins. It is purely an Australian fish 

 and is found principally in the waters of New South Wales 

 and Victoria. To what extent it occurs in the waters of 

 Western Australia, whence it has been recorded, is not at 

 present known. How it has obtained its vernacular name 

 of "Old Wife" is* hard to guess. Many of the New South 

 Wales fishermen term it "Old Maid" and perhaps in view 

 of the popular idea regarding "old maids" and their prim 

 appearance the application of this name is more justified. 

 In the Melbourne fish-markets it is often known as "Bastard 

 Dory." Though it is a fine little table fish, it is not often 

 brought to market, as it does not usually take a bait and 

 seldom comes within the scope of the hauling net, owing to 

 its habit of keeping in the vicinity of rocks and where 

 these exist wharves. Large numbers of them are to be 

 seen generally swimming leisurely around the piles of piers 

 and jetties. In these localities, thev are able to subsist to 



