21 



back, silver-grey sides and silver belly." The long, falcate 

 pectoral fin, which is so characteristic of this species, measured 

 in the present instance 440 mm. 



It is hardly surprising that this large widely-distributed pelagic 

 scombroid should be found to occur on our coast, but it has not 

 been previously recorded hence, nor does it appear to have ever 

 been recorded from any Australian locality. 



It may be here stated that the validity of Jordan's genus 

 Germo, based on the large size of the pectoral fin, and which is 

 here used, is open to doubt. 



Gasterochisma melampus Richardson. 



PLATE VI. 



Towards the latter end of August, 1906, two specimens of this 

 highly remarkable fish, measuring respectively 372 and 405 mm. 

 (14| and 16 inches), were captured at Shoalhaven, New South 

 Wales, amongst Garfish (Hyporhamj)hus) and were forwarded to 

 Sydney.* They were presented to this Department by Mr. 

 Chinnery, of this city. 



This is the first record of the occurrence of Gasterochisma 

 melampus Richardson in the waters of Australia (though it has 

 been recorded from Tasmania), and its capture so far in a 

 northerly direction as Shoalhaven, will be regarded as of great 

 interest. It was just a few days after the capture of these that the 

 examples of that other remarkable southern species, Emmeliclithys 

 nitidas Richardson, were obtained in Port Jackson. 



As any information in regard to this striking form will be 

 of value to ichthyologists, I here take the opportunity of giving a 

 complete description of the specimens under notice. 



B. VI. ; D. XVII. I. 8-9 + 7 ; A. II. 10 + 6 ; P. 21-22 ; 

 V. I. 5; C. 17. Scales about 75. 



Length of head 4-00-4-20, greatest height of body 4-15-4-50, 

 length of caudal fin 4 -05-4 -5 5 in the total length (without 

 caudal). Vertical diameter of eye 6' 10-6 -25, length of snout 

 2'90, length of mandible 2 10-2-15, width of interorbital space 

 3-30-3-40 in the length of the head. 



* Unfortunately these were a little damnged in transit. As in so 

 many other scombroids, their bodies are very tender. 



