187 



finds that Australian specimens present constant differential 

 characters in the number of the rays, he forms with them a 

 named variety (Antipodum) . In following out this system, as 

 the same ichthyologist has, also, in this genus named Subgenera, 

 a single specimen would have two generic and two specific names, 

 which would, I should think, be sufficient to disgust the most 

 fervent student from zoological study. 



In all cases Antarcticus cannot be Antipodum, as Dr. Grunther 

 says that it has no teeth at the lower jaw, nor a silvery band 

 along the sides. 



CLTJPEA SAGAX. 



Clupea sagax, Jenyns, Beagle Fishes, p. 134. 



Gunther, Catal., vol. vii., p. 443. * 



Alausa melanosticta, Guv. Sf Vol., xx. p. 444. 



Professor M'Coy has published the following interesting 

 account of this fish "Intercolonial Exhibition," 1866-67 : " Of the 

 family Clupeidce, or herrings, there is only one of much impor- 

 tance in our seas. A specimen of this was first brought to me 

 in August, 1864, from a small shoal then seen for the first time 

 in Hobson's Bay, and quite unknown to the fishermen. It was 

 supposed by the sender to be the Yarra Herring, or Grayling, 

 gone out to sea ; but on examination I found it was the Clupea 

 Melanosticta of Temmink, or the species of Pilchard, so abundant 

 on the shores of Japan. In the same month, in the succeeding 

 year, they appeared in great abundance in the Bay, and were 

 caught by thousands for the market. After remaining for a few 

 weeks they disappeared until the same time in 1866, when they 

 arrived in such countless thousands, that carts were filled with 

 them by simply dipping them out of the sea with large baskets. 

 Hundreds of tons of them were sent up the country to the inland 

 markets, and through the city, for several weeks, they were sold 

 for a few pence the bucketful while the captains of the ships 

 entering the Bay reported having passed through closely packed 

 shoals of them for miles. They may be now probably expected 

 every year as a very important addition to the food fishes of the 

 country. I imagine some alteration in the bed of the sea, from 

 the earthquake disturbances north of Australia, about that time, 



