117 
CAEANX. 
The fisli belonging to this genus abound in tbe tropical seas of 
both bemispberes, but in tbe temperate regions they are scarce. 
Tbe Mediterranean bas very few, and only one has been yet found 
on tbe soutbern coast of Australia, altbougb several others are 
mentioned from tbe northern and western shores of that Conti- 
nent. 
CAEAKX GEOEGIANUS. 
Caranx georgianus. Cm. ^ Val., v. ix., p. 85. 
— MicJiard., Erebus and Terror, Eishes, 
p. 135, pi. Iviii., fig. 1. 
{The Silver Bream.) 
In tbe numerous specimens I have seen, tbe second dorsal 
numbers sometimes twenty-six and sometimes twenty-seven soft 
rays. Cuvier and Yalenciennes give them twenty-eight or 
twenty-nine. They also count twenty-four at tbe anal, and I 
only find twenty-two and twenty-three. It is evident that these 
branched rays are subject to considerable variations in their 
numbers. 
The colours in tbe fresh specimens are very beautiful, tbe 
upper parts being sometimes of a light celestial blue, and some- 
times of a beautiful purple ; the lower parts are of a silvery 
white, with bright iridescent tinges. Behind the operculum there 
is a black spot, and along the body extends a fine, longitudinal 
golden stripe. The dorsal fin is yellow, bordered with an obscure 
tinge ; the caudal is yellow or grey, and the other fins diaphanous ; 
the ventrals are rather pink. 
In the old specimens the teeth are short, and many fall off. 
The eye is silvery. 
This is a very common fish on the Melbourne Market, particu- 
larly in the cold months of the year. The large specimens are 
scarce. The average size is under 10 inches long, but some 
attain 23 and even 25 inches. It is considered good for the table, 
and appears to inhabit all the western and southern coast of New 
Holland. 
