IX. PISHES. 73 



oE ^vhich the Gadidce or Cod-fishes, and the Pleuronectidce ov Flat- 

 fishes only need concern us ; the former genus is badly represented 

 here, the Beardie {Lotella) being the only common form, while of 

 the latter the only marketable kinds are the Elounder (Pseudo- 

 rhomhus) and the Sole ( Sy7iaptura). 



Order PHYSOSTOMI is distinguished from the preceding 

 by having the ventral fins rise from the belly ; this is an im- 

 portant order, many of the most valuable fishes of commerce 

 being included in its numbers. The most noticeable families are 

 (1) the Sihiridce or Cat-fishes, represented by numerous genera, and 

 distributed over the fresh waters and coasts of the tropical and 

 temperate zones ; the best known genera in Australia are the 

 River Cat-fish (Cojndoglams) and the Estuary Cat-fish (Cnido- 

 glanis) ; (2) the Scopelidce, mostly deep sea fishes, of which the 

 Rauning ( Scturus) and the Sergeant Baker (Aidopus) will 

 sufiice as representatives ; (3) the Cyprinidce of which the Carp, 

 Tench, and Barbel furnish good examples, but of which no species 

 has yet been proved to be indigenous to Australia, though some 

 have been introduced ; (4) the Scomhresocidce, which include the 

 Long Tom (Belone), the Garfish ( Hemirhamphus ) justly con- 

 sidered one of our most delicate fishes, and the Flying-fish 

 {Bxocoetus) ; (5) the GalaxiidcB, noticeable for its curious dis- 

 tribution, being found only in the Australian colonies, New 

 Zealand, and Chili ; (6) the Salmonidce, or Salmon and Trout 

 family, so successfully introduced into the temperate parts of 

 Australia and Xew Zealand, and of which the little Retropinna 

 is our sole native representative ; (7) the Clupeidce or Herrings, 

 numerous species of which abound in our seas, but for want of 

 proper nets are not brought to market ; (8) the Murcenidct 

 or Eels, as examples of which we may select the River Eel 

 (Anguilla), the Silver Eel {2Iu7xenesox), and the Green Eel 

 [Murcena). 



Order LOPHOBRANCHII or Horse fishes, can be mis- 

 taken for no other ; the only family which need be mentioned 

 is the Syngnathidce, which are peculiar on account of the male 

 being provided with a sub-caudal pouch into which the eggs 

 are packed on extrusion from the female, and there hatched 



