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Show 39 4 ON A FISH OF THE GENUS GIRELLA. [Apr. 19, under the name of "Blue-fish," in contradistinction to its congener G. tricuspidata, which is the " Black-fish " of New South Wales1. It is considered rare by them, and must evidently be so, but two specimens having been brought to the Sydney market within the last eighteen months; both of these fortunately came into m y hands, and from them when in a fresh state I have drawn up the above description. The larger specimen measured 23|, the smaller 17 inches. Putting aside the difference of coloration, G. cyanea may be at once distinguished from the common G. tricuspidata by the greater number of pectoral rays, tbe greater length of that fin, the number of scales on the lateral and transverse lines, and the much longer and differently shaped tail-fin; and the necessity for pointing these differences out is the greater that within a few hours of its capture it entirely loses its beautiful tints, even the conspicuous yellow spots, leaving not a trace behind, and becomes to the ordinary observer a " Black-fish." Without the aid of these variations the two described, though not yet a month mounted, would be indistinguishable from their congener. Habits. These fishes appear to be partial to rocky coasts or islands surrounded by deep water, both my specimens having been obtained in such places by book ; and, so far as I have been able to ascertain, it is never taken in estuaries and lagunes, which are favourite haunts of G. tricuspidata. Food. In respect to this they appear to be of an accommodating disposition, though seaweed, especially the calcareous kinds, undoubtedly form the great bulk of it, along with hydroid zoophytes'; but in the larger specimen there was also a good-siz-d squid 2 and the remains of a fish some six inches long. Breeding. The smaller example showed no signs whatever of breeding, but tbe larger was a female with the ova well developed; both were caught in December. As food. I had a piece of the larger one boiled, but found it coarse and without flavour ; smaller individuals would, however, be probably found equally palatable as the " Black-fish," which, however, is not giving it much praise. Habitat. Botany Heads and Broken Bay. Both Dr. Ramsay and Mr. W . Macleay are inclined to think that a " Blue-fish " said to be very common at Lord Howe Island is this species, but we have no example from that locality. Finally, I shall take this opportunity of setting right any mistake which might occur through the bad wording of a note in m y 'Catalogue of N e w South Wales Fishes,' 1886, p. 18; in the note on G. zonata 1 The same trivial name being applied to different fishes in the different colonies is liable to cause confusion ; for instance the " Yellow-tail " of Sydney is Caranx trachurus, while that of Melbourne is Seriola lalandei, which goes by the name of " King-fish " here, whereas the Melbourne " King fish " is a Scicena, 3 T o M r . Whitelegge I a m iudebted for the information that the greater part of the hydroid zoophytes belong either to Sertularia elongata or Aglaophenia divaricata; and to M r . Brazier that the "squid" mentioned was Sepiateuthis australis. |
