Natural History on the Lower Murray. 131 



, Plate L, Fig. 1, — Plotosus tandanvs. (H.) 



Eel-fish or "Kenaru," of the Yarree Yarree. 



An olive-green coloured fish, with eight long feelers round 

 its mouth. Eyes yellow. An Asiatic form of fish, which lives 

 here in the Murray and in Billibongs. Is very much esteemed 

 by the natives as food, and prohibited to their young 

 men. Swims with great rapidity, even in shallow water. 

 "Ploughs the water with its powerful dorsal fin, and is therefore 

 easily recognised and speared by the natives. They often hurt 

 their fingers on the sharp back fin, and then say it is a " saucy 

 fellow." It is unquestionably the best eating fish in the 

 Murray, and grows to the size of two feet, weighing from 7 

 to 8 lbs. It hives principally on very small shells, and muddy 

 spots are its favorite places of abode. It is not scaled. - 

 Plate I., Fig. 2. — Megalope Caillentassart. (D.) 



"Manur," of the Yarree Yarree. " 



A fish found in the neighbourhood of Boston. Is of a 

 silvery colour, and has on the back, behind the dorsal fin, a 

 very elongated and elastic backray. Leaps frequently out of 

 the water," and is easily caught by its elongated ray in thin 

 fine nets, laid by the natives horizontally on the water. The 

 fish gets entangled in the twine, and cannot escape. Is 

 most numerous in the Darling, but is also found above and 

 below the junction of the Murray and Darling Pavers. In 

 June and July it is considered a delicacy by the natives 

 and forms their principal food during these two months. 

 The young women are not permitted to eat them, from a 

 belief, that if they did, all fish in the river would die ; but in 

 reality, because it is thought to be an aphrodisiac, this fish 

 . being very fat and nourishing. It is also placed on the 

 top of graves, to point out the direction in which he lives, 

 who caused the death of the inmate. Therefore, this fish is 

 highly esteemed. It is remarkable that this fish contains an 

 uncommon quantity of small soft bones. It grows only from 

 10 to 14 inches. 



Plate I., Fig. 3. — Cernua Bidyana. (C.) 



"Baggack," of the Yarree Yarree. 



Sir Thomas Mitchell has already given a good drawing of 

 this fish. It grows to about 18 inches in length. 



Plate I., Fig. 4.— Cernua Eadesii. (B.) 



"Buruitjall," of the Yarree Yarree, 



A fish easily recognized by its low forehead, big belly and 

 sharp spine. 



