The South Australian Naturalist 
65 
I cut out of the tree trun-k. As evening draws on a setting sun makes 
j, surface of the clear winding stream scintillate as it winds 
i ' rush lined and irregularly through fields. One might very easily 
i{ picture in imagination the twinkling camp fires and the stealthy 
5 | forms as they moved to and fro in the shadows of the trees 
J' so long ago. 
X In places where the stream widens out to forty or fifty feet, 
Ip and stretches so for some hundreds of yards, with an average 
idepth of 12 feet, fine food fish still await the angler. I was told 
"^that local anglers with proper bait (and patience) catch small 
■ Cod and Gallop up to three p>ounds weight. As we watched 
amongst the beautiful floating leaves of some aquatic plants, 
' freshwater Butterfish {Galaxias attenuatus) seven or eight Inches 
long darted about In shoals. But where the angler would tarry, 
the aquarist moves on, for the smaller backwaters and swampy 
lowlands yield him more interesting catches. Altogether the var- 
iety of fishes seen was wonderful, many beautiful species were 
very wary and resorted to deep water when disturbed thus being 
safe from the strokes of the net. Among the most Interesting 
species obtained was the purple striped gudgeon {Krefftius ad~ 
ipersus), this gloriously coloured fish is easily^ tamed and is some- 
times bred in captivity, its breeding habits somewhat resembling 
the CIchlid group of fishes. The eggs being adhesive are laid in 
groups on stones or aquarium sides, the male fish spending his 
time foodless while he fans water over the eggs during their in- 
cubation, and later exercising parental care over the young 
when they are first hatched. Although this fish like many of 
our gudgeons, has a rather repulsive looking mouth, the pen can 
hardly do justice In describing its colouration. Specimens of the 
Congolli (Pseudaphritis) were also taken, this fish, mottled black 
and white Is possessed of wonderful powers of protective resem- 
blances. Being a bottom loving fish it is got by deep netting and 
IS hard, if not at times impossible, to see while It lies amongst 
rocks of an aquarium owing ot its adopted colouration, resembling 
the surrounding colours. It, however, becomes wonderfully tame, 
and soon learns to take a worm from one’s fingers. The Pigmy 
Perch {hi annoperca australis) was by far the most plentiful, this 
little fish, neat cut and prettily marked, is also an Interesting 
aquarium inhabitant, its methods of hiding in an aquarium when 
alarmed are most quaint and amusing. It, like the Congolli, how- 
ever, soon becomes very tame and displays itself fearlessly in its 
httle glass home. Some small catfish and Gobies were also taken 
inany of which also make interesting and hardy pets. The water- 
plants were growing in a wild, luxuriant profusion, and the River 
hnmss is truly an aquarist’s paradise. 
