104 NEW SOUTH WALES 
limb of the latter. Dules awratus is a common synonym. Ctenolatus 
was a genus erected by Giinther for this species, which he then called 
C. macquariensis, but it would seem now as if the genus was abandoned 
by him, while Mr. Macleay thinks it should be preserved. 
The Silver Perch. 
The ‘‘silver perch” or ‘‘ bream” (Zherapon richardsonii) is the perfection of 
fishes, extremely rich and delicate in flavour. It frequents running streams more 
than the last-mentioned fish, which is often found in lagoons and billabungs, and 
it affords good sport to the angler. A full-grown fish attains a weight of 5 or 6 
Ibs. Itis not caught often with the hook, the very small size of its mouth pre- 
venting its taking the hooks in common use.—R.R.C. 
The genus Therapon is very extensively represented in Australia. It 
is partly marine, and partly fresh water, and spread over the whole 
area of the tropical Indo-Pacific. 7. therops, 7. servus, and 7’. cuviert are 
very common in Australia, and extend from the east coast of Africa to 
Polynesia. They are readily recognized by the blackish longitudinal 
bands with which they are marked. All the spines are small. The 
genus has an oblong compressed body, with scales of moderate size. 
Viliform teeth, those of vomer and palatine rudimentary or absent. 
Dorsal fin with depression in upper margin, twelve or thirteen spines, 
the anal fin with three. Preoperculum serrated. The average length 
of ZL. richardsonii is about 11 inches. The preorbital is very 
strongly serrated, the preoperculum is rounded, armed with a series 
of long spines posteriorily, and shorter ones below. The operculum 
has two spines, the lowest being the longest ; spines of the anal very 
long, particularly the longest; colour, greyish blue, lower parts 
dirty white, sides yellow, scales bordered with black, head bluish, 
lips and lower parts rosy, eye yellow, first dorsal dark, rays purple, the 
second dull yellow below, black above, caudal black, anal with purple 
rays, ventrals white, rays rosy, pectorals yellow at base, black above. 
Found in all the rivers of the Murray system, and called Kooberry by 
the natives. To distinguish it from the other species, the catalogue of 
Macleay must be consulted, as they are very numerous. 
There are several other percoid fishes of good size and quality found 
in the Murray River system, such as Therapon niger, Murrayia 
giintheri, cyprinoides and bramoides, and Riverina fluviatilis, all 
described by the late Count Castelnau. There are besides several species 
of Percide of small size, which are useless except as food for other 
fishes, 
Murrayia is a genus placed by Count Castelnau between Dules and 
Therapon. Tt has eleven dorsal spines, the operculum is denticulated 
in all its length, A line of small teeth on the palatine bones, the 
caudal fin is rounded, scales minutely serrated, and the head 
cavernous, It is peculiar to Australian rivers. 
Riverina resembles Murrayia, but has twelve spines in the dorsal 
fin, and is without teeth on the palatine bones. It is found on the 
Murray, but rarely. 
The professional fishermen at hilg ‘Wagga, on the Murrumbidgee, and at 
Albury and Echuca, on the Murray (the first supplying Sydney with fish, the 
others Melbourne), use, we are told, a net with a long pocket in the middle, which 
