117 



important difference in L. lat. as of specific value, there is 

 no doubt but that Cast. S. antartica is distinct from the 

 Maigre of Europe. I have, however, retained both 

 species, as it is conceivable that both forms may exist in 

 Tasmanian waters. 



Fam. X. TRICHIURID^. 



49. Lepidopus caudatus, White. (Z.E.) The Frost Fish or 



Scahbard Fish. 

 D. 102 - 104. A. 24 - 25. Csec. pylor. 23. Vert. 41:71. 

 Glinth. Cat., II., p. 341. Allp. MS. Macl. Cat., 333. 

 Odd individuals caught in the Derwent occasionally in the 

 winter. Wide-world in its range of distribution, — JEurope, 

 Africa, AustraHa, and Nev/ Zealand. 



50. Thyrsites ATUN, Cuv. and Val. (A.Z.) The Bai-racouta.** 



D. 20 : 1 • 10 : VI. A. 1 • 10 : VI. Vert. 37. 

 Giinth., Cat., II., p. 350. Allp. MS. Macl., 336. 

 Most abundant off the South-east Coast, preying chiefly 

 upon the shoals of Anchovies and Sprats. Caught with a 

 jigger abundantly all the year round. 



51. Thyrsites micropus, M'Coy. 



D. 17 :412 : VI. A. 211: IV. V. 11. P. 14. 

 C. 22 : 4-4. 

 M'Coy. Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., 1873, vol. XI., p. 338. 

 Macl. Cat., 337. 

 Prof. M'Coy terms this the " Tasmanian Kingfish," but this 

 seems to be a mistake. The following species, T. solandri^ 

 is the common fish known by that name here. T. micropus^ 

 (M'Coy) must be extremely rare, as I have not yet met 

 with a fish which agrees with the above characters. 



52. Thyrsites Solandri, Cuv. and Val. The Kingjish of 



Tasmania.** 

 D. 17 - 18 : 1 • 17 - 18 : I - 11. A. 1 • 13 - 18 : II. 

 Gunth. Cat., II., p. 352. Allp. M.S. Macl. Cat., 338. 

 Migratory. Appear in immense numbers at certain seasons 

 (December to June) in pursuit of the Horse Mackerel. 

 Caught Avith a swivelled barbless hook, at night. Vora- 

 cious in the extreme, — individuals frequently attacking 

 each other, and also the allied species, the Barracouta. 



The following five specimens, taken from a large number 

 indiscriminately, give a fair notion of the variabiHty of 



in Tas- 



No. 5 has been deformed. The soft dorsal portion had 

 received an injury at one time, and three abortive detached 

 finlets have grown in place of the usual ten destroyed. 



