FAMILY MUGILID^E (Mullets). 



Mugil dussumieri Cuvier and Valenciennes. 



During February, 1905, Mr. F. W. Smithers, Inspector of 

 Fisheries, forwarded to this Department a Mullet captured in 

 the Clarence River, which I determine as above. The specimen 

 measured 333 mm. (13J inches), and weighed 14 J ounces. Mr. 

 Smithers stated that a number of others were captured at the 

 same time, the one forwarded being the smallest, while some of 

 them weighed as much as 2 Ib. He also drew attention to the 

 fact that the fish was " in spawn," and stated that the large ones 

 were in the same condition. 



I should here state that in this example there are none of the 

 teeth in the upper jaw described by Day* as occurring in Mugil 

 dussumieri, but it appears to be questionable whether they are a 

 constant character. 



It may be that this species is identical with Cuvier and 

 Valenciennes' Mvyil subviridia'f ; and, if that be so, then the 

 latter must take precedence. 



The occurrence of this fine edible mullet in our waters will be 

 noted with interest by many, and it will form an acceptable 

 addition to our local food-fishes. 



Mugil waigiensis Quoy and Gaimard. Diamond-scaled Mullet. 



In November, 1903, whilst netting in a small lagoon inside 

 the breakwater at Ballina, Richmond River, Mr. H. C. Dannevig 

 obtained a small mullet which proved to be of the above species. 

 This is quite a young example, measuring 153 mm. (6 inches). 



The occurrence of this isolated example in this lagoon is very 

 singular. Mr. Dannevig was of opinion that there was no 

 opening in the breakwater large enough to permit of its passage 

 (in its presnt size) and that consequently it must have arrived 

 there either in the egg-, or very small fry-, stage. 



The vernacular name here applied to this species is that used 

 on parts of the Queensland coast where it is familiarly and 

 favorably known as a food-fish. 



* Day : Fishes of India, p. 3,~>3. 



t Cuvier and Valenciennes : Hist. Nat. Poiss., xi, p. 115. 



