Page:Acclimatisation; its eminent adaptation to Australia.djvu/38

36 "gem fish," the glyphisodon viocellatus of Cuvier. They are found in pools among the rocks at low spring tides, both on the outer coast and in several localities inside the harbour of Port Jackson. It was first met with by Mr. Angas in a pool at Coogee Bay. The extreme brillance [sic] of the colour—gold and azure—as the little creatures dart in and out amongst the cavities of the rocks, reminds one of jewels flashing in the sunlight. They are remarkably shy, and on the slightest noise, or the shadow of a person approaching the pool, they dart in and conceal themselves under the ledges and in the holes of the rocks; hence they are very difficult to catch. They generally make their appearance on the coast about November, and remain till May; during the winter months they have not been seen. The one figured is the size of life; they vary in size from one to four inches in length. As may be supposed, they are exquisite objects in the aquarium, and eat small worms and crumbs of bread greedily when in confinement.

One of the first acts of the Acclimatisation Society, when established, would be to introduce that fine and delicious fish of the perch tribe, called the Murray River cod, and which has been introduced with perfect success in the Yarra, and lately in Lake George, by the Honourable the Speaker, Mr. Murray, in 1848. Suitable localities could also be found in the Nepean, Hawkesbury, and such rivers and lakes in the colony where it does not at present exist.

Sharks and other fish might be procured for their oils, both for economical and medicinal purposes—and for the latter might equal the cod liver oil now imported in such large quantities. At present the dugong oil is used as a substitute, an animal belonging to the mammalia, and is said to be beneficial to invalids afflicted with strumous disease; but its virtue, except as a nutritious diet, is very questionable. It is a curious fact that, while we regard this and cod liver oil as new remedies in pulmonary diseases, in 1790, Valliant, in his travels in Africa, says:—"At the Cape the fat of the hippopotamus is thought so wholesome that they affirm, if it is taken in regular portions, it will radically cure all disorders of the breast." "I kept some by me," he also observes, "that was not thicker than the oil of cloves in cold weather." This is also a property which obtains in the dugong oil. Indeed the whole of these oils may be considered more valuable as a nutritious diet, in those constitutions requiring it, than from any particular medicinal property they possess. The benefit derived from these fatty substances is