87 



them.* The supposed spawning grounds in the Derwent 

 are situate above Hobart, — viz., Prince of Wales' Bay, 

 Cornelian Bay, Lindisferne Bay, and the various sheltered 

 mud-flats between these points and Bridgewater. 



On a holiday hundreds of pleasure seekers may be seen 

 between Bridgewater and Hobart with rod and line, — the 

 chief attraction being Mullet-fishing. The favourite spots 

 between these points on the Derwent appear to be Risdon, 

 Flat Rock, Elwick Jetty, Berriedale. Triflitt's, Austin's 

 Ferry, and Bridgewater. These points, too, are frequented 

 by enthusiastic anglers all tlie year round. It is no 

 uncommon occurrence for a single angler at these places to 

 land four to six dozen fish, averaging | lb. weight. 

 Occasionally individuals are caught reaching 1| lbs. 

 Prior to the closing of the River Derwent above Hobart 

 for the protection of the introduced Salmonoids, the indis- 

 criminate use of seine-nets almost destroyed the fish in 

 these upper waters. From the evidence of old anglers it 

 appears to be certain that, since the closing of the river, all 

 fish have rapidly increased in numbers, size, and quality ; 

 the ruthless destruction of young fry on the nursery grounds 

 has ceased ; and it is affirmed with confidence that more 

 fish are now caught with rod and line alone than could be 

 got by sweeping the bays with the seine-net prior to its 

 pi'ohibition in this part of the river. It is also worthy of 

 note that the class who principally fish in these upper 

 waters are tradesmen, to whom the fish caught are a most 

 welcome addition to the household fare. The fish measure, 

 on the average, 8 to 12 inches long, has two dorsal fins, the 

 first considerably in advance of the second, composed of 

 four spines. Otherwise, the fish has a remarkable general 

 resemblance to the Herring ; and on this account it is 

 frequently called by that name in New Zealand, where it 

 also seems to be abundant. Dr. Giinther states, in respect 

 of other members of this family, that, if attention were 

 paid to their cultivation, great profits could be made by 

 fry being transferred into suitable backwaters on the 

 shore, in which they rapidly grow to a remarkable size. 

 Local advantage might be taken of this suggestion. 



Centriscid^, Gobiesocid^. 

 The only fishes belonging to these families are — 



* Di'. Giinther states that their food consists of organic substances 

 contained in mud or sand, — tlieir organs of the pharynx being well 

 adapted for filtering the mud or sand which they partially swallow. 



