212 FISHES OF AUSTRALIA. 



curious eggs which are demersal and adhesive are de- 

 posited. These eggs are arranged in patches, one against 

 the other, and not in masses, as are some demersal eggs. 

 The whole story in regard to these eggs, their deposition, 

 and the rearing of the young which hatch out from them, 

 still remains to be told ; but that it will be a very pretty 

 story of paternal and maternal care cannot be doubted. The 

 parents show great ferocity during the period in which the 

 eggs are hatching, watching over them and driving away, 

 or attempting to drive away, all intruders. 



The Crested Weed-Fish: This very peculiar-looking 

 fish, which has two dorsal fins (one of them being situated 

 at the back of the head hence its name), is, though seldom 

 seen by the majority of even waterside folk, quite common 

 in suitable localities along the eastern coastline of Australia, 

 or at least in New South Wales. (If Castelnau's Cristi- 

 ceps macleayi is synonymous with the C. australis of Cuvier 

 and Valenciennes, as appears to be not altogether impro- 

 bable, then the species exists in Victoria and Tasmania as 

 well.) 



The Crested Weed-Fish loves to dwell amongst weeds 

 in fairly-deep water; either on sandy bottoms or amongst 

 rocks ; its pretty, mottled markings enabling it to escape the 

 detection of predaceous fishes, and, at the same time, no 

 doubt, assisting it to obtain its food, which is of an animal 

 nature. As I have found, this little fish has a fairly-large 

 stomach-capacity and it preys to a certain extent upon the 

 "Little Rock-Whiting" (Odax balteatus) which frequents 

 localities of a somewhat similar character. 



This species, is of particular interest, because of the 

 fact, that it brings forth its young alive, though they are 

 very tiny. 



It attains a length of about 10 inches, the more common 

 size being from about 6 to 7 inches. 



The Red-Indian Fish: I am sure that when any of 

 you see an example of this most remarkable-looking species, 

 you will think that the common name which I have chosen 

 is very suitable, as the suggestion of a North American 

 "Red Indian" with his crest of feathers running from the 

 back of his head down his back, is most pronounced. Alto- 



