the species is most common during the south-west monsoon, when 

 it approaches the shore from the deeper water. Whether or not 

 our representatives of the species attain to the same dimensions 

 as those of India remains to be seen. 



In response to an inquiry in regard to their relative abundance, 

 size attained, and their habitat in the Clarence River, Inspector 

 Smithers, when forwarding the second specimen, wrote : " I 

 have watched the hauls of fishermen, and have hauled myself, 

 and have seen at least fifty caught, the largest being 2 feet 3 

 inches wide." 



" I have found most of the rays in the channel known as 

 1 Micalo,' between Micalo and Palmer's Islands ; also in Baker's 

 Creek, which runs into Harwood Island, at the back of Turkey 

 Island ; bottoms generally mud." 



" I cannot hear of any being caught above Maclean. Some 

 men from here returned last night and tried from Maclean to 

 Ulmarra without getting one." 



FAMILY SCOMBRESOCID.E (Garfishes and Long-Toms). 



Euleptorhamphus longirostris (Cuvier). Slender Garfish. 



An example of this species, measuring 457 mm. (18 inches*) 

 was captured at Bateman's Bay during January, 1907, and was 

 forwarded to this office ; this apparently forming a first record 

 of the occurrence of this species in the waters surrounding the 

 mainland of Australia. The specimen was captured by Mr. J. 

 Cootes while hauling for Sea Garfish (llyporlmmphus intermedius). 



As no description of this species is to be found in Australian 

 literature, I take the opportunity of giving one, based on this 

 specimen. 



D. 24 ; A. 22 ; P. 9 ; V. 6. Scales about 107. 



Length of head (without lower jaw) 6 -85, greatest height of 

 bodyf 12-15, length of caudal fin 6-60 in the length from 

 point of snout to insertion of caudal fin. Longitudinal diameter 

 of eye 3-30, length of snout 3-05, height of head through 



* The actual length, in life, would slightly exceed that given, as the tip 

 of the lower jaw and the lower caudal lobe were both slightly broken. 



t Equal, at insertion of pectoral fin, halfway between insertion o f 

 pectoral and ventral fins and at base of first anal ray. 



