July 1963 School Magazine

Brisbane Girl~' Grammar Scb.ool Maqazine

July, 1963

Brisbane Girls 1 Grammar School Maqazine

July, 1963

has little oil. This makes it easily digestable and therefore excellent for invalid cooking. Mullet, of which there are about thirty species in Australia, come from a family which are characterized by their blunt heads, almost toothless moufus, large scales and general bluish colour. Their_stomachs are muscular and have always reminded me of the gizzard of a fowl, The sea mullet (rl;mgil dobula) is on_e of those fishes which travel to a certain place to spawn. Until one year old, it lives in the shallow waters near the river entrances. Then it migrates further upstream for two years. During the third year it undertakes1a migration to the sea to spawn. Mullet from far and wide gather where the rivers run into the sea, awaiting a westerly or south- westerly wind. When this comes they move out. I have found mullet, which by this time are almost one fifth of their own weight heavier, and understand that they can have as many as two million eggs. Mullet may often be seen in large shoals over oyster beds for they love the eggs which they swallow in countless millions . Thus, although the silver bream 1 the dusky flathead, the little butterfish, the luderick, the catfish, the mullet and the sand whiting are amongst our most common fish, each has its own particular fascination. To those who are anxious to learn something about our marine life, my advice is to study the common fish of our waters, for nowhere could there be found a better beginning to what could easily become a life-long interest. - SALLY ALAND

fine. Care should be taken in handling this fish since it has a preopercular spine on each side of the head and thus can inflict a painful wound. While the dusky flathead troubles itself with concealment, the diamond fish (Monodactylus argenteus) or Butterfish is as curious as the proverbial cat , and swarms about wharves and piers, quickly finding vessels anchored in the bay. This little fellow is one of the most well known and often exasperating fish in our local waters. About nine inches long, and nearly as wide, their flesh has a pleasant distinctive flavour but their innummerable bones are annoying. Very few are caught although no other fish can eat as many baits as often as these wily butterfish. While, however, the diamond fish are annoying, the fish which are most detested are the catfish. Like many fresh water- fish of the globe, these are members of the ostariophysi family, who are provided with small ossicles which connect the air- bladder with the auditory apparatus. The estuary catfish is scaleless and its body is soft and shiny. It is armed with spines on the dorsal and pectoral fins , which cause severe pain. An altogether less rupulsive fish is the fresh water cat- fish (Tandanus tandanu·s). I have often caught these in the inland creeks, but! like many people, refuse to consider thern as food, although they are quite edible. These fresh water catfish have the most fascinating breeding habits. Great pains are taken in constructing their nest. The fish swim round close to the bottom stirring up the mud with their fins . Gradually a depression of up to five or six feet is formed. They then grab pebbles or small sticks in their mouths and carry them to the nest. The eggs are guarded by one parent who continually fans them with its fins to prevent accumulation of sediment. The salmon catfish (Netuma thalossina), like its relation, guards its young in a strange manner. One parent usually the male, takes the fertilized eggs in its mouth, retaining them until they are hatched. If the catfish is one of the most unpopular of our local fish, the sand whiting (sillago ciliata) is beloved by everybody. A ·shallow water fish , it may be found in great numbers off Bribie Island between September and November. It is possible that this fish could be eventually wiped out since it does not spawn until about eleven inches in length whereas the legal length for catching them is, in Queensland, nine and a half inches. If it is compared with that of other fish, it soon be- comes obvious that the tender white flesh of the sand whiting l4c :

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THE BEAST A power forcing muscles to power mighty steel And steel which will, mechanically, drive many a mighty wheel And wheels which act together to carry to its goal A mighty one-eyed demon that thrives on fired coa l. A single, searching, gleaming eye that penetrates the night , The night which quite engulfs, surrounds this devil in its flight, A blazing eye that liquidates all that bars its way : The solid, shiftless blackness falls helplessly its prey. The beast is driven onwards by a brain that is demented And a grim determination that cannot be prevented, And it rips apart the clouds of mist gathered in the vale And climbs the steepest hillside - its fury cannot fail. For never-ending energy, a heart of burning hea t And a devil inclination that nothing can defeat Wiidly move it. With a scream as of some animal in pain This terrific brute continues .. . this mighty roarinq train !

- HILARY KLEM, VC.

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