77 



estuaries, especially in those of the Derwent. They are in 

 this state found in more or less abundance all the year 

 round, and are highly esteemed for the breakfast table. In 

 the various bays in the immediate vicinity of Hobart the 

 young Silver Perch, 7 to 8 inches long, aftbrd ample sport 

 to amateur fishermen. The fish take bait readily, — the 

 mussel, boiled, being a favourite ; and, during the months of 

 March, April, and May, it is not uncommon for a party of 

 two or three persons to catch from ten to twenty dozen in a 

 couple of hours. The young specimens are invariably of a 

 bright silvery appearance, with a conspicuous dark-coloured 

 transverse bar across the shoulder and posterior lobe of 

 operculum, and terminating towards root of pectorals. 

 This bar becomes obsolete, or is not so conspicuous, in the 

 mature form ; and this may partly account for some of the 

 confusion which still exists in the classification of this most 

 variable species. The pectoral fin has one of its simple 

 rays prolonged far beyond the rest; and this simple 

 character readily distinguishes it from nearly all the rest of 

 the family. 



The Black Perch (C. aspemis) is most probably a mere 

 variety of C. macroiJterus. The former is found invariably 

 upon a rocky bottom, and the latter upon a sandy bottom ; 

 and the colour is, undoubtedly, the result of the difference 

 in local environment. The young are all silvery. 



This species is most variable within certain limits. No 

 two individuals are alike in all the following characters ; 

 viz. — dorsal, spinous, and branched rays, anal soft rays, 

 length of longest simple pectoral ray, length of ventral fin, 

 shade of colour. The Black Perch is only distinguished 

 fi-om the Silver by its condition and quality ; in all other 

 respects its general character varies within the same limits. 

 Out of twelve specimens. Black and Silver, taken hap- 

 hazard, the general characters of both forms varied in each 

 individual within the following limits : — 



D. 17-18:25-28. A. 3:12-14. P. 15 (94-6). 

 V.1-5. L,lat.55 + 4. L. tr. 6: 13- 14. 



In some the ventral fin did not reach to the vent ; in others 

 it reached as far as the vent ; while in one or two individuals 

 it extended beyond the vent. The longest simple ray 

 extends to varying distances between the first and sixth 

 soft rays of anal. Generally the Black Perch is found in 

 deeper water, and attains a greater size. They were in 

 former times found in great abundance in Adventure Bay. 

 They do not carry them in the wells as a i-ule, however, as 

 they prick each other with their strong dorsal spines, and 



