71 
CHBTSOPHRTS ATJSTBA.LIS. 
Chiysophrys australis, Gunther, Oatal. Brit. Mm., y. i. p. 494i. 
{The Bream?) 
This fish is one of the most common in the Melbourne Market 
throughout all seasons of the year. It is esteemed as food, but 
never attains to a large size, the longest specimens being about 
12 inches. 
The Australian Bream is a sea fish, but often enters the rivers, 
and is common in the lower Yarra and also in the Gripps Land 
lakes. 
Its colour is silvery ; grey on the upper parts. There is a 
slight brown transverse band on the forehead ; dorsal fin hyaline, 
bordered with black ; caudal rather yellow, with a dark external 
border ; anal sometimes yellow, other times dark ; ventrals 
yellow, sometimes in part blue ; pectorals yellow. 
Dr. G-unther has been mistaken when he says (page 494) that 
this sort has shining golden longitudinal streaks. ISTothing similar 
is seen in the fresh specimens. 
SQrxiMIPINNES. 
“Body compressed and elevated, covered with 
scales, which are sometimes exceedingly finely 
ciliated, and sometimes smooth. Lateral line con- 
tinuous, not continued on the caudal fin. Mouth 
in front of the snout, generally small, with lateral 
cleft. Eye lateral, of moderate size. Six or seven 
hranchiostegals. Dentition formed hy villiform 
or setiform bands, without canines or incisors ; some 
of the genera with teeth on the palate. Dorsal fin 
formed hy a spinous and soft portion of nearly equal 
development ; anal with three or four spines, simi- 
larly developed as the soft dorsal, and both many- 
rayed. The vertical fins more or less densely covered 
with small scales ; the spinous portions sometimes 
