91 



until recently, when they appear again to be on the increase, 

 their numbers fell off so ^much that it was hardly profit- 

 able to search for them. It was reasonable to assign this 

 decrease to the indiscriminate use of the seine-net, and the 

 partial closure of the two rivers may have something to do 

 with their reappearance in great numbers. It must be 

 granted, however, that other causes unknown may have 

 also operated together with^those assigned. 



ScoMBRESOCiD^. Garfish Family. 



There is only one species belonging to this family known 

 to exist in Tasmanian waters j viz. — 



The Garfish Hem'irhamphus intermedhis, 



Cast. 



It is found in great abundance in the shallow waters in 

 estuaries during the summer months, and is most highly 

 esteemed in the market. It does not ascend within the 

 influence of the fresh water so freely as the other migratory 

 fishes, and its capture by seine-net is not affected by the 

 closing of the upper waters of estuaries. Thei'e is a' good 

 demand for all the Garfish brought to market, and they 

 usually fetch a price from M. to 9f/. per dozen. The fish 

 may be captured at any time between April and October. 

 The mesh of the seine-net used in its capture usually 

 measures a quarter of an inch from knot to knot. 



GONORHYNCHID^. 



There is only one member of this family known locally ; 

 viz. : — 



The Sand Eel Gonorhynchus Greyly Rich. 



It is rarely captured, however, and is therefore of little 

 interest fi-om a commercial point of view. 



HOPLEGNATHID^. 



There is only one representative of this family said to 

 exist in our waters, viz., Hoylegnatlms Comvayiij Rich. ; 

 but it is rarely taken, and is of little importance. 



LABniDiE. TJie Parrot Fish Family. 



There are nine representatives of the Parrot Fish family 

 in Tasmanian waters, of which the following are the most 

 common : — 



