| &9SUED Be AULA Sé NATIONAL MUSEU)
a ie

TX :
385
R178

| 1883

| FISH

) PAPERS or rx#z CONFERENCES

Fleld in connection with

| the Onnar A\TERNATIONAL, |
/POHERUES XHIBITION

ON THE

FOOD FISHES AND EDIBLE]
| MOLLUSCA

“NEW SOUTH WALES, Etc.

bY

BP) RAMSAY .--PiL.S., Bre.

CURATOR OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM, SYDNEY, FELLOW OF THR ROYAL
ZOOLOGO-BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF VIENNA, COMMISSIONER OF THE
FISHERIES, HON. COR, MEMB. ROYAL SOCIETY OF TASMANIA

LONDON
Gj/7/2>\ WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, Luwrrep
est 13 CHARING CROSS, S.W.

PRICE SIXPENCE

OFFICIAL PUBLICATIONS.

ooo —

The following Handbooks upon subjects cognate to the

International Fisheries Exhibition are pikes published,
or in active preparation : —

NOW READY.
poy Svo., in. Illustrated Wrapper 1s. each ; or bound in cloth 2s. each.

THE FISHERY LAWS. By Freperick Po.ttock, Barrister-at-
Law, M.A. (Oxon.), Hon. LL.D. Edin. ; Corpus Christi Bee of Juris-
prudence in the University of Oxford.

ZOOLOGY AND FOOD FISHES. By Grorce B. Howss,
Demonstrator of Biology, Normal School of Science, and Royal School of Mines,
South Kensington.

BRITISH MARINE AND FRESHWATER FISHES.

(Ziustrated.) By W. SAVILLE KENT, F.L.S., F.Z.S., Author of Official Guide-
books to the Brighton, Manchester, and Westminster Aquaria.

APPARATUS FOR FISHING. By E. W. H. Hoipswortn,
F.L.S., F.Z.S., Special Commissioner for Juries, International Fisheries
Exhibition ; ; Author of “Deep Sea Fisheries and Fishing Boats,” ‘‘ British
Industries—Sea Fisheries,” &c.

THE BRITISH FISH TRADE. By His Excellency SPENCER
WALpotg, Lieut.-Governor of the Isle of Man.

THE UNAPPRECIATED FISHER FOLK. By Jamgs G.

BERTRAM, Author of ‘‘ The Harvest of the Sea.”

THE SALMON FISHERIES. (Justrated.) By C, E. FRvER.

Assistant Inspector of Salmon Fisheries, Home Office.

SEA MONSTERS UNMASKED. (//lustrated.) By Soe LEE,
F.L.S

THE ANGLING CLUBS AND PRESERVATION SO-
CIETIES OF LONDON AND THE PROVINCES, ByJ.P. WHEELDON,
late Angling Editor of ‘‘ Bell’s Life.”

INDIAN FISH AND FISHING. (Jilustrated.) By Francis
Day, F.L.S., Commissioner for India to International Fisheries Exhibition,

A POPULAR HISTORY OF FISHERIES AND FISHER-
MEN OF ALL COUNTRIES, FROM THE EARLIEST TIMES. By
W. M. Apams, B.A., formerly Fellow of New College, Oxford; Author of
‘Zenobia: a Tragedy,’ and inventor of the Ccelometer.

FISH CULTURE. (J//lustrated.) By Francis Day, F.L.S., Com-

missioner for India to International Fisheries Exhibition.

‘SEA FABLES EXPLAINED. By Henry Let, F.L.S. (///ustrated.)

ANGLING IN GREAT BRITAIN. By Wixi Senior (“ Red
Spinner”).
FISHES OF FANCY: their Place in Myth, Fable, Fairy-

Tale and Folk-Lore, etc. By PHIL ROBINSON.

LITERATURE OF SEA AND RIVER FISHING. By
J. J. MANLEY, M.A.
IN THE PRESS.

THE PLACE OF FISH IN A HARD-WORKING DIET.
- By STEPHEN MITCHELL, M.A. (Cantab:)

LONDON :

WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LimiTED,
13, CHARING CROSS,

“VA

425 Lnternational Fisheries Fexhibition

K 14% LONDON, 1883
1X2
i Ltr N@mEsS

ON THE

OOD eI SHES “AND” ED TIE
MOLLUSCA

OF

NEE AN SiO. TL, VAS:

Ee. bine

_ EXHIBITED IN THE NEW SOUTH WALES COURT /

BY

eye RAMSAY, Els, Ene

CURATOR OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM, SYDNEY, FELLOW OF THE ROYAL
ZOOLOGO-BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF VIENNA, COMMISSIONER OF THE
N.S.W. FISHERIES,
HON. COR. MEMB, ROYAL SOCIETY OF TASMANIA.
4 , 4 eh)
“
\

( ~ ;

©

LONDON ~ aS

Vee PANIC OWES “AND eS OINS: LIMITED
13 CHARING CROSS, S.W.
1883

LONDON :

PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED,
STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS.

Luternational Fisheries FEtxhibition
LONDON, 1883

NOES

ON THE

FOOD FISHES AND EDIBLE MOLLUSCA

OF

NEW SOUTH WALES.

— or

THE greater portion of the exhibits in the New South
Wales Court have been liberally supplied by the Trustees
of the Australian Museum, at the request of the Commis-
sioners of the New South Wales Fisheries, having been
specially prepared by the skilled taxidermists of that
institution, the Commissioners themselves undertaking,
through their energetic Secretary, Mr. Lindsay Thomson,
the preserving of the tinned fish and oysters, and procuring
from the various beds the large and interesting collection
of oysters displayed in the Court, as well as the fishing-
boat, nets, and lines, the fish-oils, the photographs, and oil
paintings of the food-fishes, with many other interesting
articles mentioned in the Catalogue.

The notes appended to each of the different samples
of oysters have been collated from the reports sent with
each to the Commissioners by the inspectors and sub-
inspectors of the various leased beds in the colony of New

South Wales.

4

One of the most marked features in the fish-fauna of
the Australian Seas is the almost entire absence of the
cod tribe (Gaddid@), a family among which the codfish
itself, the ling, the haddock, the English whiting, the hake,
&c., supply such immense quantities of valuable food, and
afford so much employment to thousands of human beings
in the Old and New Worlds. This want is, however,
amply supplied by members of others families, such as
the Mugillide, Sciznide, and Carangidz, which visit the
Australian shores in vast shoals. From among these,
fisheries might be formed, which, if carried on under
efficient management, experience, and skill, with a com-
paratively small expenditure would, in the future, bid fair
to rival the largest and most important in the world. Un-
fortunately there are at present no fish-curing or canning
establishments in New South Wales.

With the exception of one species, Retropinna richarda-
sonit, Gill, a species not used for food, the Salmonid& are
naturally absent, but this family has been so successfully
introduced into the Tasmanian waters, that it is highly
probable, ere long, even salmon will form an important
article of export.

With regard to the Clupeide (the herrings, pilchards,
sprats, and anchovies), the species of this family are very
numerous, and occur in quite as large shoals as in any other
part of the world.

When the Mugilide, the most valuable for canning
purposes, but which only occur at a certain season of the
year, are gone, there are many other families the members
of which are also found in immense quantities, for instance,
the Scienide: Sct@na antarctica, and Otolithus atelodus ;
the Sparide : Chrysophrys australis, C. sarba, Girella tri-

cuspidata, G. simplex, and Pagrus unicolor ; the Carangide :

5

Seriola lalandi, S. gigas, S. grandis, Temnodon saltator ;
the Scombresocide : Hemirhamphus intermedius and LH.
regularis ; the Scombridz, which include the mackerels:
Scomber australasicus, S. colias, Thynnus pelamys; the
Trachinide : S7l/ago ciliata, S. maculata, S. bassensis—
all of which occur at various seasons of the year, and,
being obtainable in large quantities, would afford lucrative
employment to hundreds of men, women, and children,
and food for thousands.

Moreover, with more experience and knowledge of the
proper trawling-grounds, still further sources of supply will
arise.

At present, a great difficulty is the proper preservation
of fish after their capture for transit inland and elsewhere.
This arises from the heat of the climate, the scarcity of ice,
and the want of efficiently constructed and swift boats for
transit. Doubtless such wants will in due course be
remedied, as the demand for fish-food is daily on the
increase.

The fishing industry as yet may be regarded as in its
infancy. This is shown by the fact that the only nets in
general use by the fishermen are the ordinary drawing-
seines and mashing-nets, while there is only one style of
fishing boat, a model of which is exhibited in the Court.

It may not be out of place here to draw attention to
some of the principal features of the New South Wales
Court, among which may be enumerated the large sun-fish,
Orthagoriscus, sp.. the Luth, Dermatochelys coriaceus, the
eroup of Péron’s Seals, Ctaria cinerea, exhibited for the
first time in England and Europe, the large collection of
food-fishes, stuffed and in spirits. The sponges and oysters
deserve attention, while the walls are decorated by life-

sized oil-paintings of fishes and large photographs of the

6

fish-markets and certain of the Government offices and
other magnificent buildings, highly creditable to Mr. James
Barnet, the colonial architect.

As preliminary to the list of objects exhibited, notes of
the chief families of Australian food-fishes, &c., have been

introduced, as follows :—

BERYCIDA:.

This family affords us with but one useful food-fish,
Beryx affinis, known among the fishermen of Port Jackson
as the “ Nannagai,” or, as it is sometimes spelt, “ Nannygy.”
It is a most delicious fish, always brings a high price, but
is seldom found in sufficient numbers to form a regular
supply. It is a deep-water fish, but enters the harbours
during the summer months to spawn in small troops, and
is then found on the sandy flats near reefs in comparatively
shallow water, where it is usually taken with the hook and
line. It is more plentiful along the coast, frequenting the
Schnapper grounds, and is there taken in larger numbers.
Future search will probably be rewarded by finding its
winter-quarters, or localities where it is more plentiful,
from which a regular supply can be obtained.

It is a beautiful fish, of a bright deep red colour. Very
young specimens are sometimes taken in the dredge and
trawl, ample proof of its breeding in Port Jackson.
Recently, Mr. Johnstone, of Hobart, has reported it from
Tasmania—a curious fact, as formerly this genus was
supposed to be confined to warmer waters and not to

extend beyond the semitropical zone.

PERCIDA.
Among the Percide, a family largely represented in

Australia, there are but few species which occur in large

7

shoals. The “Salmon” of our fishermen, Arripis salar
(A. truttaceus, C. et V.), is one of the most important. It
occurs at all seasons on our coast ; and during the summer
months it enters the harbours, bays, and estuaries in
immense shoals, probably to spawn, some going up the
rivers into the brackish water. They attain a great size ;
and, when in pursuit of their prey, take prodigious leaps
out of the water; they atford good sport to the amateur
fisherman, but the supply for market is usually taken with
the seine. It is a beautifully marked fish, especially when
young, and in weight up to 2 or 3lbs.; it is known as the
salmon trout ; but being one of the most common fish in
the southern market, it is not so highly appreciated as it
deserves. If properly treated, after the manner of the cod
and ling, it would form just as palatable an article of food ;
and, from its large size and the prodigious numbers in
which it congregates, it is capable of affording a large
quantity of valuable food either for home consumption or
export.

Enoplosus armatus, a beautiful and grotesquely marked
fish, with large and curiously developed fins, is another
species worthy of mention. Although a delicious fish,
from its small size it is not much sought after. It is
usually plentiful in the harbours at all seasons of the year,
frequenting the rocky shores and small open patches
among the weeds in troops of from ten to fifty in number.
It is occasionally taken in the seine or in “set” nets with
other rock-fish (Ladride, &c.).

The trumpeter perch (T7erapon cuviert), was formerly
very numerous in Port Jackson, and occasionally taken in
immense quantities. It is a small, delicious fish, and
prettily striped along the body. It seldom exceeds eight
inches in length, and takes the bait readily. When caught

8

it emits a “tooting” note, not unlike that emitted when
dying by some of the Siluride (Avzus australis) ; hence its
local name of “trumpeter.” Like Exoplosus armatits, it is
not a migratory fish, and may be found in the harbour of
Port Jackson all the year round in small quantities.

Another valuable food-fish belonging to this family is
Serranus damelii, the Black Rock-Cod. This fish was for-
merly plentiful, but now not so abundant in Port Jackson ;
to the northward, however, of our harbour it is still found in
considerable numbers, and attains to a large size, some-
times weighing more than 20 lbs. The following is an
extract from the report of the Royal Commission on the
Fisheries of New South Wales, 1880, p. 10 :—

“The genus Sevranus comprises most of the fishes known as
‘Rock Cod.’ There are many species of it in these seas, and the
number increases in the warmer latitudes of the north, but one
only is sufficiently useful as an article of food to merit notice,
and that is the ‘ Black Rock-Cod’ (Servanus damelit, Ginther).”
“Tt is found on all the rocky parts of the coast, and in the
harbours about bold headlands. It takes the bait readily, and
is seldom captured by the net. It attains a great size, fishes
weighing 35 and even 4o lbs. being not uncommon. It is found ,
as far as Jarvis Bay to the south; to the north it has probably a
much more extended range. It has been observed of this fish
that those caught off the ‘Solitaires’ and other places to the
north of Port Jackson are, as a rule, of larger size than those
found to the south. It is rarely seen now in the Sydney market,
owing to the great falling-off in the supply obtained from Port
Jackson Heads, Coogee, and other places where it was formerly
abundant. It is difficult to account for this falling-off in the
supply ; for the causes which undoubtedly affect the supply of
other fishes do not apply to this. The spawn is not deposited in
shallow bays constantly raked by nets, the young are never taken
in the seine, aud the number of the adult fish captured has never
been sufficient to account for the deficiency. It is probable that

2g

the fish has merely sought retreats further removed from the stir
and traffic of Port Jackson.”

Although the fact of an abundance of this valuable food-
fish being found further north on our coasts must be well
known to most of our fishermen, it is curious that it is so
scarce in our markets. But this is probably due to the ab-
sence of fast steam-carriers ; and this drawback is likely to
continue until we have two or three fast steamers, fitted-up
with ice-compartments, to ply round our shores and pick
up and bring to market the various takes from the fishing-
boats.

Another good table-fish is the “bull’s-eye,” a beautiful
salmon-red fish with small scales, known as Priacanthus
macracanthus (C. et V.). At times it enters the harbours
in considerable numbers ; but the supply is irregular.

Another of the Percide, Plectropoma ocellatum, the
Wirrah of the fishermen, is more plentiful. It is when first
caught a handsome fish, of a pale olive-brown or olive-
ereen colour, with numerous bright blue dots on spots of a
lighter tint. It is not considered a good table-fish, pro-
bably because few know how to cook it,

A more important fish, but one which we know very
little about, is a fine perch-shaped Glaucosoma, which has
been named Glaucosoma scapulare, on account of the
peculiar development of the suprascapular bone, which
protrudes through the skin to the length of more than an
inch. This fish was formerly not scarce on our coasts, but
is now seldom obtained, perhaps from its frequenting very
deep water. Occasionally specimens are obtained in
Schnapper fishing; they attain a large size, reaching to
8 lb. weight, and are known as the sea-bream.

The perch (Lates colonorum), the “Murray cod,’ and

10

other members of the Percide form important articles of
food, some of which will be considered under our fresh-
water fishes.

GERRID&.

Gerres ovatus, a small but delicious fish, known to the
fishermen as “silver bream,” “silver bellies,” &c., is often
taken in great numbers at certain seasons; it seldom
reaches 8 inches in length, and appears to enter the har-
bour of Port Jackson in July. It is a handsome fish, of a
bright silvery hue, with a silver-blue tint on the upper
portion of the body. The flesh is rather soft, probably
from the species being one that does not keep well ; never-
theless it is of good flavour.

MULLID.

This family supplies us with two or three species of very
delicious fishes, known as red mullets. They are usually
taken at night in the seine and trawl, but seldom in suffi-
cient numbers to warrant them being classed among our
useful fishes. The largest species is Hupeneus porosus, a
very beautiful fish, of an orange- or vermilion-red, with
yellow streaks and blue and violet markings and spots.

It reaches to 12 inches in length.

SPARIDA.

This family furnishes some of the most important of our
food-fishes, and from it comes our chief supply. The car-
nivorous Sparidz include the Schnapper, Pagrus uniczolor,
the immature young of which are known respectively as

)

the “squire” and red bream. It is a hghly-coloured

species, of a rich pink or red colour, with blue iridescent

spots on the scales.

Idi

The following extract is taken from the Report of the

Royal Commission (pp. 12-13) before mentioned :—

“The Schnapper (Pagrus unicolor) is the most valuable of Aus-
tralian fishes, not for its excellence, for we have many more
delicious,* but for the abundant and regular supply which it
affords of a very nutritious and wholesome description of food.
It is found on all parts of the Australian coast, but most abun-
dantly on that of New South Wales. It is a deep-water fish,
found generally on or near rocky points, or reefs running out for
miles from the coast. Its food is chiefly the mollusca living on
the rocks, though the readiness with which it will snap up bait of
the most varied descriptions indicates tastes of rather an omni-
vorous character. Like all or most fishes, it has its periods of
migration and accumulation in shoals, a movement so well ex-
pressed by the term ‘schooling’ that we shall adopt the phrase
for the future. The time of the appearance of the ‘ School
Schnapper’ is the early part of summer ; it is then believed to be
at least three years old ; the previous stages of its existence being
well known under the names of ‘Red Bream’ at the age of one
year, and of ‘Squire’ at two. At a still greater age the Schnapper
seems to cease to school, and becomes what is known as the
‘ Native’ and ‘ Rock Native,’ a solitary and sometimes enormously
large fish.” “At the first appearance of the school-fish in early
summer the roes are small; but the full size is attained in or about
January, about which time no doubt the spawn is deposited.
The actual mode of the deposition or attachment of the spawn
has never been observed, and the same may be said of the date
of the first appearance of the young fry, but there can be little
doubt that the deposition takes place in moderately deep water
near the land, and that the young are probably hatched before
the winter season. The young fish, in the shape of ‘ Red Bream,’
are abundant in the harbours and inlets, but are seldom captured
in large quantities in the seine; they take the hook, however,
freely, and the capture of them is a very favourite pastime of the

* [This is a matter of opinion ; many assert that there is no better
fish in the Australian waters than a half-grown Schnapper.—E. P. R.]

12

Sydney people. The Schnapper is generally caught by the hook,
but instances have been known of their capture in Lake Macquarie
and other places by means of very deep nets.”

The black bream (Chrysophrys australis) and the tar-
whine (Cz. hasta) are both valuable food-fish, which form a
regular supply; they attain a weight of 4 to 5 lbs. and
always meet with a ready sale, although the tarwhine is
said not to keep so well as the black bream.

Among the herbivorous Sparide the blackfish, under
which name several species of Gzrel/a are known, give us a
regular and palatable supply of good food. These are
taken in large quantities with the seine, and sometimes by
amateurs with a line and hook baited with green seaweed.

Girella tricuspidata, G. simplex, and G. ramsayi are the
species chiefly found in the market, and most esteemed.
flaplodactylus lophodon and H. obscurus, belonging to the
same section, do not furnish a regular supply ; the latter,
known to our southern fishermen as the “ butterfish,” is

4

highly esteemed.

SQUAMIPINNES.

The “sweep,” Scorpus @quipinnis, is the only fish of
this family that is used with us as an article of food, or
found in sufficient numbers to be of any market value.
“Tt is not much thought of, yet at times it is brought to
market in considerable quantities, and finds consumers at
fair prices. The schooling-season is midsummer, and the
spawn is probably deposited in the harbour, as the young
sweeps are frequently caught in the seine.”

It is occasionally taken in line-fishing, and, although not

so good as the black bream and others, is by no means a
bad table fish.

=

CIRRHITID~.

One of the most important families, supplying a large
amount of valuable and delicious food. Among the best
are the trumpeters (La¢rzs), of which there are several
species, chiefly frequenting our southern coasts. The
hobart trumpeter (ZL. Aecateia) is one obtained in large
quantities, and in a smoked and dried state forms an
article of export from Tasmania to the other colonies.
-Latris hecateia is not often found on the New South Wales
coast, but ZL. forstert occasionally finds its way into the
market, and is considered a delicacy. The Morwongs—
Chilodactylus macropterus, C. morwong (sp. nov.), and C.
fuscus—are more plentiful, and find a ready sale. C. vitta-
tus is occasionally taken in the seine, but is considered
rare; it seldom attains a foot in length, and, like C. fuscus,
is a handsomely marked fish. Some interesting and valu-
able information on these fishes will be found in the
Report of the Royal Commission on Tasmanian Fishes,
1883.

TRIGLIDA AND COTTINA.

“The Australian species which can be classed as edible are the
‘Red Rock-Cod,’ four species ; the ‘ Flatheads,’ four species ; and
the ‘Flying Gurnets,’ three species. The ‘ Red Rock-Cod’—
Sebastes percoides and Scorpena cardinalis, cruenta, and bynoensis—
are rock- and ground-fish, and readily take the hook.” ‘ The
‘Flatheads’ of the coast are Platycephalus fuscus, levigatus, bas-
sensts, and cirronasus : of these the first, P. fuscus, is the Flathead
best known and most common in Port Jackson. All the species
are of excellent quality, and may be ranked among the best of
our fishes. Like the Red Rock-Cod, the Flathead is a ground-
fish, but is found on a sandy bottom only, and generally at only
a moderate depth. It is taken both by the hook and net. But
little information is obtainable about the history of the Fiathead ;

14

but it seems to come into this harbour full of spawn in mid-
summer, and probably deposits its ova on the sandy banks in
tolerably deep water. It is probable that the trawl-net will be
found of most service in reaching the haunts of this very useful
fish, which only requires to be better known to be better appre-
ciated.* The ‘ Flying Gurnets’—TZ7rigla kuma and polyommata,
and Lepidotrigla papilio—are very beautiful and excellent fishes,
but very rare and uncertain in their movements. All we know
of them is that they are deep-sea fishes, appearing, when they do
appear, only in summer.” ‘Two species at least breed in Port
Jackson, the young being frequently seen in shallow water.—
Re ak. Com:, pp. £6; 17.

TRACHINIDZ.

The Whitings, Sz//ago, are perhaps the most highly
prized of all the Australian food-fishes. Four or five
species frequent our coasts; but the principal, and the
species most common in our markets, are the “sand-
whiting,” Sz/lago maculata, and the trumpeter whiting,
Sillago ciliata. The latter is perhaps the more common,
and grows to a larger size than the former. They are
taken in considerable numbers during the summer months,
and all through the year ; but after having deposited their
spawn are not considered in season until they have re-
covered from this arduous duty. Although occasionally
met with in the deep waters of the bays, and sometimes
taken with the line, the supply comes from the sandy
shallow flats which they usually frequent, being secured
with the seine, and with the trawl the writer has also

* Since the above was written the “ Otter” trawl has been used,
with more or less success, in the harbour; there can be no doubt that,
by trawling, large numbers of these useful fishes could be obtained
in suitable places along the coast and in the numerous shallow bays
and inlets.

15

secured many fine fish. A curious habit of both species
(S7llago maculata and S. ciliata) is perhaps worth mention-
ing—when, finding themselves enclosed by the seine, they
burrow in the sand sufficiently deep to allow the nets to
pass over them. My informant, Mr. W. Brown, assures me
that, after the drawing up of the seine, he has taken two or
three dozen fine fish from the sand, feeling them with the
feet at first, and then simply securing them with the hand ;
this is probably the origin of the local name of “sand-
whiting.” The following are extracts from the Report of
the Royal Commission, p. 18 :—

“There are in all four Australian species. The Common Sand-
Whiting, S7//ago maculata, abundant on the New South Wales
coast ; the Trumpeter Whiting, S7//ago bassensis, also abundant
here ; and the most common species in Brisbane is S7//ago punc-
tata, the Whiting of Melbourne, and rare on this coast.” “The
first of these, the ‘ Sand-Whiting, is by far the most important as
an article of food. It is perhaps in more general use even than
the Schnapper, constituting almost all through the year the most
generally used breakfast fish we have. Of its excellent quality,
when in good condition and in the proper season, there cannot
be a doubt; but the great favour in which it is held induces, we
fear, its extensive use at times when it ceases to be good, and
may probably be unwholesome. It is in best condition when it
first appears to come in from the sea, about the middle or latter
end of summer. It is then a large clean fish, with the roe formed
but not full-sized, and it continues in its excellent condition until
the roe has attained full maturity or been shed. This occurs
generally about March or April. The actual deposition of the
spawn has never been observed, but there cannot be a doubt that
the sandy and muddy beaches of bays and lakes are the favoured
spots. ‘There is a similar want of reliable evidence as to the time
of the appearance of the young fry ; but we believe that there are
sufficient grounds for concluding that the spawn deposited at the
end of summer does not germinate until the warmth of spring.

16

The young fish, and those of all stages of growth short of the
adult full-roed fish, seem to reside in the harbours, estuaries, and
lakes in which they were born until their departure to the sea;
and it is while thus still, as it were, in their nursery that the most
improvident havoc is played on them by the fishermen. The age
and season of the migration of these fishes to the sea have not
been observed, but on their return they are always in considerable
shoals.” ‘The Whiting are ground-fish, and, though they are
occasionally taken with the hook, they are generally caught in the
seine. The ‘Trumpeter Whiting’ is not in such request as the
other, nor is it found in such abundance. The time of arrival
from the sea is winter, or a month or two later than the Sand-
Whiting. Its habits are much the same in other respects.”
“There are other genera of Zrachinide found in Australian waters,
but none of them having any pretension to utility for food or
any other purpose.”

SCL&NIDAZ.

The most important of this family is the Jew-fish
(Sccena antarctica), which attains to a large size, ex-
ceeding 5 feet in length. (A large specimen may be seen
in the collection on exhibit in the New South Wales
Court). It is a fish that always finds a ready sale, but
when very large the flesh is rather coarse. Our ‘ Report’

remarks, p. 20, that—

“Tt is said to be very frequently cooked by fishmongers and
others and sold as ‘fried Schnapper.’ It is found at almost all
seasons, but most abundantly in summer. It is a deep-sea fish,
generally caught with the hook, though young specimens may be
occasionally taken in the net inshore.” “It has been more than
once asserted that this fish is identical with Sciena aguila, the
well-known and highly appreciated ‘ maigre’ of the Mediterranean ;
and Count Castelnau, though originally describing our Jew-fish as
a different species, has lately admitted having some doubt on the

subject.”
“The air-bladder of some of the same genus of fishes is of great

f

17

value for isinglass, and forms a valuable article of export on the
Indian and Malacca coasts, the merely dried bladder being worth
equal to 1s. 6d. per lb. In one of our species—the Teraglin—the
air-bladder is of great size and excellent quality, and treated in
the same way, that is without any preparation or outlay except
that of drying in the sun, would probably add threepence to the
value of each fish caught.”—R. R. C., p. 20.

The Teraglin (Otolithus atelodus), another allied fish of
the same family, is in many respects very like the Jew-fish,
but does not grow to such a large size, and the flesh is of
a finer grain. Like the Jew-fish, it is one of our principal
food-fishes, and occurs all the year round, but is more
plentiful during the warmer months. Fine specimens of
this fish are exhibited in Case No. 3.

POLYNEMID.

Although three species of this family have occasionally
been found on our coast, they cannot be enumerated
among our useful fish, being great rarities. Further north,
however, in the warmer waters of the Queensland coast,
one species of Polynemus at least is common, being found
plentiful at the mouth of the Burdekin river by one of the
employés of the Australian Museum, Mr. A. Morton.

SPHYRANIDA.

“ There are three fishes belonging to this small family occasion-
ally found in Port Jackson and the other inlets of the coast.
They are Sphyrena nove hollandie and obtusata and Neosphyrena
multiradiata, all of them named, from the elongate muzzle and
strong teeth, ‘pike, though in no way related to the well-known
European fish of that name. They are very good for the table,
but are so seldom brought to the market in any quantity that they
are but little known. They are only caught in the seine, and

C

18

though occasionally taken at other seasons, are most abundant
in summer, when they seem to come in from the sea in small
shoals.” —R. R. C., p. 21.

TRICHIURID.

The barracouta (7hyrsites atun) and the Tasmanian
king-fish (7. solandrz) are the two principal members of
this family that find their way to the markets. The former
is the most common, but the latter also occasionally occurs
in great shoals. After an absence of several years, shoals
of Thyrsites solandri have again visited the Tasmanian
coasts. 7. atunis not so erratic in its movements, and
consequently the supply is regular; and when smoked and
dried, or salted, forms an article of export to the other
colonies. They are large fishes, attaining a length of
four feet, and 4 or 5 inches in diameter. Individuals
occasionally wander as far north as New South Wales ; but

the Tasmanian and southern coasts are the homes of these
species.

SCOMBRID.

“ This is a very large family, comprising four or five groups of
fishes of very different appearance and habit. We will deal with
the most numerous, and certainly the most typical, of the groups
first, the Scombrina. The genus Scomder is represented in Australia
by two species, Scomber australasicus, Cuv. & Val., and Scomber
antarcticus, Castelnau. The last-named is the one best-known in
these seas as the ‘Mackerel.’ Like all, or almost all of the
‘Scombrina,’ it is a gregarious and exceedingly predacious fish,
rejoicing in the open sea and generally near the surface, and appa-
rently constantly in pursuit of shoals of other fishes. ‘The instinct
which in all fishes seems to compel them to mass together and
approach the shore at the season of spawning is not wanting in the
Mackerel, and it is probable that the occasional visits of more than

19

usually large shoals of these fishes is due to this annual movement ;
at the same time their frequent appearance in Port Jackson at un-
anticipated times may be owing to the appearance of shoals of
other fish which they may have followed up. Be that as it may,
it is certain that about midsummer, annually, shoals of enormous
magnitude pass near the coast, going apparently in a northerly
direction ; that the sea has, sometimes for miles, the appearance
of being almost a solid mass of them; and that they also have
their enemies, and are followed and devoured by shoals of larger
fish of their own family if not species, as well as by hosts of other
predacious fishes, birds, and mammals. The Mackerel which
appear so frequently in Port Jackson, and afford such excellent
holiday fishing to the citizens of Sydney, are generally very young,
and it is said to be rare indeed to get an adult or full-roed spe-
cimen. It is a very good fish when eaten fresh, but, like all the
Scombroid fishes, it dies immediately after leaving the water, and
decomposes very rapidly, and when eaten in that state it has been
known to produce symptoms of fish-poisoning: a most unjusti-
fiable prejudice has been excited against this fish in consequence.

“The ‘Bonito’ (Zhynnus pelamys) is also seen occasionally in
these seas. It is generally observed in pursuit of shoals of other
fish, and it seems to wander about in large shoals, but whether in
search of prey or for spawning purposes there is no evidence to
show. Another very fine fish—the King-fish of the West Indies,
not of Port Jackson—£Z/acate nigra, is also occasionally got here ;
but it can scarcely be looked upon as more than a chance visitor.
There are several other Scombroid fishes on the coast of the same
predacious character, and all more or less good for food, but they
are essentially ocean fishes, and only enter our harbours when in
pursuit of shoals. They belong to the genera Auxis and Cydbium.
The ‘ Pilot-fish’ (JVaucrates ductor) is also a member of this
group.”—R. R. C., p. 22.

.

Dr. Steindachner, one of the greatest authorities, is of
opinion that our mackerel, Scomber antarcticus of Cas-
telnau, is identical with the European species, Scomber
colias of Linn.

20

CYTTIDA.

Under this family we may mention the John Dorey
(Zeus australis), considered by some to be the same as the
European fish of the same name, Z. fader, Linn. This is
one of our very best food fishes, always in demand, and
bringing a high price in the markets, sometimes as much as
Is. per pound; but the supply is so irregular that it can
only be looked upon as a rare delicacy. It enters the
harbours from the sea to spawn during summer, and
frequents the sandy bottoms near reefs. It is only occa-
sionally taken in the seine, but is more often captured by
line-fishing with a live bait. When we know more about
our coast-line this fish will probably be found in numbers,
frequenting the rocky and sandy bottoms adjacent to Port
Jackson.

Another member of this family (Cytéz7s australis) takes

the place of the John Dorey in the southern markets.

CARANGIDA.

This important family supplies us with large quantities
of delicious food-fishes, many of which, from their large
size, are not so appreciated as they deserve.

The white trevally, Caranx georgianus, which on the
New South Wales coast is seldom taken weighing over
14 to 2 lbs. is found on the shores of Queensland of a
much greater size, not unfrequently reaching 5 to 6 lbs., and
affords fine sport to line-fishers ; it is also taken with the
seine in large quantities. The bait used in line-fishing is
a blue-bodied crab (J/ycteris, sp.) Very young fish are
sometimes taken in the trawl and seine in Port Jackson.

The yellow-tail, Caranx declivis, of Richardson, now

generally admitted to be the young of Zvrachurus tra-

Po I

churus, is very abundant in all parts of the harbour ; it is
always in demand for bait, but is also a good edible
species. Adults, reaching a length of 15 inches, are occa-
sionally taken on the coast, and sometimes also far up the

harbour during the spawning season.

“There are very many species in Australian waters, their numbers
increasing rapidly towards the warmer seas of the north. Those
best known to the fishermen of Port Jackson are—the ‘ Yellow-
tail’ (Zrachurus declivis), the ‘ White Trevally’ (Caranx georgt-
anus), the ‘ King-fish’ (Seriola lalandiz), the ‘Samson-fish’ (Seriola
gigas, Gth.), and ‘The Tailor’ (Zemnodon saltator). The first of
these, the ‘ Yellow-tail,’ is almost, if not quite, identical with the
‘Horse Mackerel’ of Europe (Zvachurus trachurus). Inthe young
state it is abundant at all times in Port Jackson, and is in great
demand for bait. The adult fish is seldom seen in the harbour,
but it is said to pass along the coast in large shoals at or about
midsummer. It is most probable that this fish spawns in the
inlets and harbours of the coast, from the fact that the young fish
of from five to six inches in length are always to be found in such
localities. The very young fry havea most extraordinary and in-
genious way of providing for their safety and nutrition at the
same time; they take up their quarters inside the umbrella of the
large medusw, where they are safe from their enemies, and are,
without any exertion on their part, supplied with the minute
organisms which constitute their food, by the constant current
kept up by the action of the curtain-looking c/a of the animal.” —
Reps Coa e2 4,025.

“The ‘ White Trevally’ is very abundant at times in the har-
bours and inlets of the coast, but generally in a young state. The
adult fish is large, and appears in summer in very large shoals.

“The ‘ King-fish’ is about the most voracious and destructive of
all the predacious fishes of these seas. It grows to a large size,
congregates in enormous shoals, and habitually pursues and
destroys the shoals of other fish at all smaller than itself. It 1s
not considered a very good fish.

“‘Of the ‘Samson-fish’ very little has been observed. It is a

22

large and handsome fish, and affords good sport to the amateur
fisherman.

“The ‘ Tailor, is well known in Port Jackson. The young fish
are constantly making their appearance in shoals in the summer
season, and are taken in the seines in great numbers. They are
much in demand for bait, but are not a favourite catch for the
fishermen, as they are most destructive to the nets. The adult fish
are large, and are known in the Melbourne market by the name of
‘skip-jack.’ They school in midsummer, move in enormous shoals,
and are said to be most destructive to the young and spawn of
other fishes. As an article of food they are not in much request,
but when fresh there are few more delicate and well-tasted fish.”
—R. R. C., pp. 25, 26.

Neptomenus travale and N. brama are good food-fish,
but rare in Port Jackson. To the south, however, they are
more common, and reach to a considerable size, weighing
from 5 to 10 lbs.

MUGILID.

“A very wide-spread and valuable group of fishes, amply repre-
sented in Australian waters. The best-known species in New South
Wales are the ‘ Sea-Mullet (A/ugi? grandis, Castelnau) ; the ‘ Flat-
tail Mullet’ (/ugil peronii, Cuv. & Val.) ; the ‘ River’ or ‘ Hard-
gut Mullet’ (AZugil dobula, Giinther) ; and the ‘Sand-Mullet’ or
‘Talleygalann’ (AZyxus eclongatus, Ginther). There are other
species, such as Wugil cephalotus, petardi, compressus, argenteus, and
acutus ; but they are rarely seen and little known, and not there-
fore classifiable as useful fishes, ‘The first of this list, the Sea-
Mullet, is a large fish attaining when full grown a length of 2 feet.
It is unsurpassed in richness and delicacy of flavour by any fish in
the world, the Salmon not excepted; and it offers itself for our
use in countless numbers at the very season when it is in the best
possible condition. The history of this fish is now pretty well
known, though it will be seen by a perusal of the large amount of
evidence printed in the Appendix, that there are many very con-
flicting statements and opinions given.”

yr

23

“To begin with the spawning season:—In the latter end of
summer, that is at periods varying from the middle of March to
the middle of May, the Sea-Mullet is seen to enter all the harbours
and inlets of the coast in successive shoals, some of the most asto-
nishing vastness. It is then full of roe, and in splendid condition.
When not interfered with by fishermen (for it is a fish easily turned
from its course) or diverted by storms or floods, these shoals
penetrate to all parts of these inlets, and run up the rivers even
into fresh water in search of suitable places for the deposition of
their spawn. When a suitable spot is reached, the deposition of
the spawn commences ; and the process is carried on in much the
same way as that of the Salmon and other fish of similar habits.
Sometimes, however, from bad weather or the persecution of
fishermen, the shoals are prevented from seeking suitable spawn-
ing grounds, and the fish, being no longer able to retain the spawn,
shed it loose upon the water, where it becomes entirely lost.
When the ova are properly fertilised and left undisturbed the
young fish make their appearance on the approach of warm
weather in spring (Macleay), when they may: be seen in large
shoals close to the land and in shallow water. From that period
until they become adult, which is probably at the age of two years,
they seem to keep entirely to the rivers, lakes, and mud-flats,
where they thrive and grow with amazing rapidity. As they are
without teeth, they are incapable of eating either animal or vege-
table substances in the ordinary sense of the term; but they are
possessed, Dr. Gtinther informs us, of a pharyngeal apparatus
which sifts the organic from the inorganic particles from the mud
which they swallow and on which they live. When the period at
length arrives for the mature fish to go to the sea preparatory to
spawning, the instinct which actuates them seems to be irre-
sistible. In one instance, some years ago, when Tugerrah-beach
lake was for a time shut up at its sea-mouth, the Mullet pressed
in such masses in the direction in which the outlet should have
been that thousands of them were forced up on the land and
perished. An occurrence of the same kind is mentioned as
having happened at Lake Ilawaira under similar circumstances.
It is doubtful how long it is between the rush of the fish to the

24

sea and their re-entrance into the same or other rivers ; the belief
is that the time is very short, that the movement is only from one
opening of the coast to another, and always from south to north.
There can be little doubt that the fish, after spawning, find their
way back to their old haunts ; but they have very seldom been
seen so returning. The spent fish are for a time unfit for food,
but they improve in condition very rapidly. The only instrument
of capture used for the Mullet is the seine-net. The range of the
species is from the Gippsland lakes on the south up to Brisbane
on the north.” The weight of a full-grown sea-mullet is from 6
to 8 lb., sometimes more. If preserved and tinned, this fish
would form a valuable article for export as well as for home con-
sumption. It is much to be regretted that no tinning establish-
ment exists in Australia, and too often this fine fish is taken solely
for its oil and roe ; the latter, slightly smoked and dried, is con-
sidered a great delicacy.

“The Flat-tail Mullet is also a very good fish, but has neither
the size nor the extreme excellence of the Sea-Mullet. It appears
also at the end of summer or beginning of winter, and spawns in
our bays and creeks ; but the shoals are never of the same enor-
mous size as are common with the other.

“The other species (AZ. dobula) is, except at the schooling
season, almost a freshwater fish, living as high up the streams as
it can get; but it cannot, like the European salmon, pass up rapids
or falls. It is a good fish, but inferior to both the others. The
term ‘ Hard-gut Mullet’ is sometimes applied to this species, but
more frequently the fishermen apply that name to immature spe-
cimens of the ‘Sea-Mullet.’ It is sometimes taken by the hook.

“The ‘Sand-Mullet’ (AZyxus elongatus) seldom exceeds seven
or eight inches in length ; and though no doubt excellent eating,
as are all the family, is looked upon as too small for the market.”—
R. R. Com., pp. 27-30.

LABRIDA.

The most important of this group is the blue groper
(Cossyphus gouldii), a valuable and delicious fisn, attaining

a large size, and often 20 to 30 lbs. in weight. The head

25

and shoulders of this fish, says our Report, “makes the
most delicious dish one can conceive.” Half-grown fish are
usually taken in the seine, the adults by line-fishing, or
with the trammel-net set near the rocks.

Another common species is the “Maori” (Corzs lineo-
latus), a most varied and beautifully marked fish, of a rich
vermilion, longitudinally banded with broad bands of dark
violet and pink, and elegantly ornamented with bright blue
lines on the head. It frequents the rocky shores and
weeds, among which the young fish take refuge. Labrich-
thys laticlavius is sometimes obtained. Odax semifasciatus
known locally as the “ rock-whiting,” “stranger,” &c., is
more often found. Other members of the Labridz occa-
sionally are taken, but do not afford any supply worthy of
mention. The same may be said of the “ pig-fish” (Cossy-
phus unimaculatus), which is frequently seen ; it is a bright-
coloured fish, of a rich red, with a blackish spot about the
centre of the dorsal fin, and occasionally two black longi-
tudinal markings on the side of the body.

GADID/.

This family, so largely represented in the Northern
hemisphere, is almost wanting in the Australian seas. It
is represented by only three or four species, which may be
looked upon as food-fish, belonging to the genera Lofella
and Pseudophycis. Lotella grandis is the largest species,
and not usually found. ZL. callarias and L. rubiginosa,
known as the beardie and the ling, are the only other
species which are marketable, and even these are only
occasionally found. ZL. callarias and L. grandis are de-
licious food-fish, but require to be cooked while fresh, soon

decomposing after death.

26

PLEURONECTIDA:.

Although we have no less than ten species of flat-fish
inhabiting Port Jackson, the supply is meagre and uncer-
tain; in fact, the only species which afford us articles of
food are Pseudo-rhombus russellit, P. multimaculatus, Arno-
glossus bleekeri, all of which are known locally as flounders,
and the sole (Syxaptura nigra, Macleay). The former are
tolerably good fish; the latter is a great delicacy, far
superior to any sole, brill, or flounder that comes into the
English market. Having recently made the experiment, I
may be permitted to speak confidently on this subject.
Two other very delicious fishes, although found only
during the summer months, are Solea macleayana and S.
microcephala. The latter is seldom met with in any
quantity ; the former, only lately discovered, inhabits also
the freshwater streams. Two other species, Lophonectes,
sp. n., and Zapzrisolea, sp., have been recently brought up
by the trawl. It is not unlikely, when trawling is resorted
to in the waters of Port Jackson and the adjacent coast,
that we shall have a regular supply of the most delicious
food-fish. It may interest the naturalist to know that the
following species frequent the harbour of Port Jackson :—
Pseudo-rhombus russellii, P. multimaculatus, Tapirisolea, sp.,
Arnoglossus bleekeri, Tetrorhombus excisiceps, Synaptura
nigra, Solea macleayana, S. microcephalus, Lophonectes 2 sp.,
Pardachirus pavoninus, Plagusia unicolor. The last-named
is known under the name of the lemon sole; it is of a
pale olive-yellow when alive. To the southward are found
Rhombosolea monopus and Ammotretis rostratus, both good
table-fish.

The flounders in Port Jackson are occasionally taken in

the seine, and sometimes in the trammel-net when set

27]

across a sandy spit as the tide is falling, out usually with
the hook and line, small prawns or shrimps being the baits
used. The soles (Syxaptura nigra) do not take the bait ;
and although a few may occasionally be taken in the seine,
the usual mode is by spearing them. On a clear calm
morning the fisherman allows his boat to drift with the
tide, or poles it along with his spear over the shallow
sandy flats on which these fish abound or frequent to
spawn. A practised eye will soon discern the shape or
outline of the fish covered in the sand, with usually only
its eyes exposed. When disturbed, and as it settles down
again in the sand, a slight cloud is thrown up, which indi-
cates its whereabouts. The fish is easily speared, and
several dozen may be obtained in two or three hours or
less time.

Recently, by trawling, many individuals, both of floun-
ders, soles, and other flat-fish have been obtained. The
colours of these fish vary in accordance with the colour of
the ground they frequent ; some are of a light olive or
ashy brown from a sandy bottom; others of a jet-black
colour when taken off the mud.

SILURIDA.

In Australia many species of this family abound, the
most common being Cyidoglanis megastoma, found on all
the muddy flats in the harbours in the neighbourhood of
Port Jackson. It is generally brought up in the trawl, but
approaches the shore more often at night, when it is fre-
quently taken in the seine. It is seldom brought to
market, Europeans having an undue prejudice against
eating it.

Another species, Copidoglanis tandanus, is plentiful in

28

the rivers, and will be noticed under our Freshwater Fishes.

Both are rich and good-flavoured food-fishes.

SCOPELID.

This family affords us but three species, one only being
worthy of mention; the others, of the genera Saurus and
Saurida, must be looked upon as comparatively scarce
fish. The “Sergeant Baker,” Aulopus purpurissatus, is
the species usually found in the market, and by some con-
sidered a delicacy. In taste and grain the flesh resembles
the English whiting, but has a much better flavour, if the
latter can be said to have any flavour at all. It attains the
length of 18 inches, and is a highly coloured and beauti-
fully marked fish, of a deep red hue; the fins opalescent
and strongly marked with deep red spots and blotches ;
the flesh is white, large in grain, and rather dry. It is
occasionally taken in the seine, but more oftefi in deep

water with the hook and line.

SCOMBRESOCID.

Five or six species of this family frequent the harbour of
Port Jackson and coast-line of New South Wales, but
only three of them deserve notice. The most common are
the two species of gar-fish—Hemirhamphus intermedius
(the sea gar-fish), and /7. regularis (known as the river
gar-fish). The former (/Z. zz¢éermedius) comes in from the
sea in immense shoals, is a universal favourite with all
classes ; no breakfast table should be furnished without it.
The other, H. regularis, is similar in every respect, but by
some considered the better fish. The flesh of both, before
cooking, is semitransparent, with a silver stripe along the

lateral line ; when cooked it is as white as snow, and of the

i)

9

most delicious flavour, having no bones of any size but the
back series ; it may be eaten without that attention which
is due to other fish in this respect. The following extract

is from the Report of the Commissioners :—

“The ordinary Sydney Gar-fish comes in from the sea in the
latter end of summer, to deposit its spawn in suitable spots in the
harbour. It is then in the finest condition, and makes its appear-
ance in successive shoals, some of them of enormous size. During
the latter end of February of this year (1880) the shoals were so
large that several boat-loads were taken in one haul of the seine,
and the fish on the spot could be purchased for stxpence a bushel.
The ‘ Long Tom’ (Belone ferox) is also of this family ; it is a good
fish, but not so fashionable as the Gar-fish, and, like it, is taken
only in the net."—#. R. Cow., pp. 33, 34-

Other species, as 7. commersoni, H]. argenteus, are rare
with us, and recently Scomberesox forstert has been taken
in Port Jackson. Belone ferox, the “Long Tom” of the
fishermen, “green-bone,” and “ gar-fish” of Europeans, is
also a good table-fish; it is seldom taken with the line,
but at times in considerable number with the seine. It
reaches the length of 4 feet, but is usually found about
24 to 3 feet long; it has not the delicate flavour of the
gar-fishes (Hemirhamphus). There are three or four
species of Selone on our coast, all known under the name
of “Long Toms” by the fishermen. One species (Belone
kreftiz, Gthr.) inhabits the fresh waters of Queensland, |

CLUPEID.

No less than ten species of this family inhabit the
Australian waters, all of which have been recently revised
and described by the Hon. W. Macleay, in vol. iv., p. 363,
of ‘The Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South.
Wales.’ .

30

‘We will therefore only notice here those which appear to be
most abundant and most likely to be useful. The ‘ Maray’
(Clupea sagax) appears annually in immense shoals about mid-
winter, passing in a northerly direction ; and portions of the shoals
sometimes enter the bays and harbours of the coast, but not cer-
tainly, as with most fishes, for the purpose of spawning, for the
shoals consist at that time of small and immature fish, but pro-
bably driven in by the hosts of large fishes,porpoises, &c., by which
they are invariably pursued. The same fish is seen to pass south
on the eastern coast of New Zeajand about six or seven months
afterwards, and then they are full-grown and full of roe. The
excellent bloaters of Picton, New Zealand, are made of this fish.
The next best known species is the ‘ Herring (Clapea Sundaica),
a fish of great excellence and delicacy of flavour, though but little
appreciated. It also appears in the winter season, and in shoals.
It is said to be found about the mouth of the Hawkesbury River
at all seasons of the year.” —&. PR. Com., p. 34.

Etrumeus jacksonensis is another delicicus food-fish,
which is occasionally taken in the harbour. In March,
1883, both Clupea sagax and this species were found in

good condition, and taken in the same haul of the seine.

MURANIDZ.

Eels are abundant in our waters, but are only occa-
sionally brought to the market, not being specially fished
for. They are not much in demand, and seldom bring
more than 6d. or, 1s. each, or from 3d. to ‘4d. per Ib:
Recently there has been a slight demand, while formerly
they were almost unsaleable. The species most frequently
obtained are:—Anguilla australis, usually from the fresh-
water swamps, lagoons, and rivers near Sydney ; I/urene-
sox cinerea, the “pike eel,” “silver eel,’ &c; Ophichthys
. serpens, the sand-eel; Conger labiata and Murena afra,

the “rock” and “green” eels, which are common on all

goal

the reefs and rocky parts of the harbours. MJwrenesoxr
cinerea is the largest, attaining a length of 6 feet; it is
found in tidal rivers, both in fresh and salt water. Anguzlla
australis also grows to a great size, seldom reaches 5 feet
in length, but is often 10 inches in circumference; it is a
most delicious fish, and abounds in all the rivers, pools, and
lagoons on the eastern watershed. Other species, as
Myrophris australis and Murena nebulosa, are sometimes
taken. Eels are highly esteemed in other countries, and
when our waters are properly fished they will supply
largely a valuable article of food.

SCLERODERMI.

The “leather jackets,” Monacanthus, are the only mem-
bers of this family used as food, and against these even
there was an undue prejudice, which is gradually dying
out. Monacanthus ayraudii M. hippocrepis M. granulosus,
Richardson, are really good table-fish, but they all require
skinning before being cooked; the young of all three
species are very plentiful, and not being a marketable fish
are looked upon as the reverse of useful by the fishermen.
The adults of Monacanthus ayraudii are a serious draw-
back to line-fishers, especially when engaged in Schnapper-
fishing, cutting the lines near the surface of the water. As
our Report remarks, “unless some means can be found of
getting rid of this pest, Schnapper-fishing will have to be
conducted with wire lines.”

CHONDROPTERYGII.
SHARKS AND RAYS.

Although the waters of Port Jackson and our coasts
abound with these scavengers, but little use is made of

them ; they are seldom sought for, and when occasionally

‘alie)
O*

taken are seldom made use of, notwithstanding a large

amount of valuable oil can be obtained from the livers, and

the fins find a ready sale among the Chinese.

Dried fins of various species and samples of the oil from

the livers of four of the most common kinds may be seen

in the Court. The following is a list of the species found

in Port Jackson, many of which attain a great size :—

See oP et Oe ae Ne

ee
or ran WwW DN fF O

dS -
0 9

SHARKS.

Carcharias gangeticus, MZ/i//. & Henle.

. Carcharias macloti, Mil, & Henle.

Carcharias brachyurus, Ginter. Whaler.

Galeocerdo rayneri, W@cD. & Barr. Tiger-Shark.

Galeus australis, J/acleay. School Shark.

Zygena leeuwinii, Yum. Hammer-headed Shark.

Mustelus antarcticus, Giinther.

Lamna glauca, Mill. & Henle. Blue Pointer Shark.

Carcharodon rondeletii, A. & Henle. White
Pointer Shark.

Odontaspis americanus, J@iéchel. Grey Nurse.

. Alopecias vulpes, Zz. Thrasher.
. Notidanus indicus, Cuz.
. Seyllium maculatum, 5/.

Chiloscyllium furvum, JZacleay. Dog-fish.
Crossorhinus barbatus, Zizn. Wobbegong.

. Heterodontus philippi, Zacp. Port-Jackson Shark.

Heterodontus galeatus, Giinther. Port-Jackson Shark.

. Acanthias megalops, JZacleay.

Rhina squatina, Zzzu. Angel Shark.

. Pristiophorus cirratus, Za¢iam. Saw-fish Shark.

RAYS.

The side fins of the Rays are used as food in many parts

of the world, but, as yet, not in Australia ; even the Skates

are despised as unfit for food. Notwithstanding this, they

28)
are quite as palatable as any Skate sold in the London
markets.
The following is a list of the Rays found in the harbour
of Port Jackson, all of which, with the exception of /ypnos

subnigrum, are edible :—

Rhinobatus granulatus, Cuv.
Trigonorhina fasciata, Ail. & Henle.
Hypnos subnigrum, Dum.

Raiia lamprieri, Ach.

Trygon pastinaca, Zz.

Trygon tuberculata, Lacép.
Urolophus testaceus, AZ, & Henle.
Myliobatis aquila, Z.

Myliobatis australis, Macleay.
Ceratoptera alfredi, A7c/z.
Dicerobates, sp.

FRESHWATER FISHES.
PERCID, &C.

The so-called “Murray Cod” or “ Macquarie Cod” (O“-
gorus macquartensts) is the largest of our freshwater fishes,
sometimes weighing over 100lbs. When at a weight of
from 3 lbs. to tolbs. it is considered most marketable, and
is without doubt a most delicious fish. It abounds in most
of the rivers north of Sydney and in those of the western
watershed, as the Murray and Macquarie and their nume-
rous tributaries, affording good sport for anglers and a
valuable supply of good food ; they are usually taken for
market with a Trammel, or Bag-net, set across the stream,
or by hook and line. They have been introduced into
several of the inland lakes near Sydney, such as Lake
George, Lake Bathurst, &c., where they thrive remarkably
well, becoming immense fish and exceedingly fat. A large

D

34
specimen, which weighed about 20 lbs., is exhibited in front
of case No. 3.

Large quantities are daily, during the cold months, sent
to the Melbourne and Adelaide markets from the Murray
and its numerous tributaries ; the supply for the Sydney
markets is obtained from Lake George and from the Mac-
quarie River, but chiefly from the Murrumbidgee, being
forwarded by train from Wagga.

Two species of Murray Cod are recognised by natu-
ralists, the Oligorus macquariensis, Cuv. et Val. and Ol-
gorus mitchelli, Castelnau.

The next fishes of importance, all of which are con-
sidered great delicacies, are the Golden Perch, CYexolates
ambiguus (Dules auratus, of Richardson), Ctx. chrystiz, Cast.,
and Ctx. flavescens, Giinth. C. ambiguus is found in con-
siderable numbers in the Victorian fresh waters and at
Wagga on the Murrumbidgee. C. flavescens equally plen-
tiful, is, I believe, confined to the upper waters of the
Macquarie in New South Wales; here also we have the
Silver Perch (Therapon richardsoni, Cast., and 7. macleay-
ana, Ramsay) in considerable numbers; and although
usually taken for the markets with the net, they afford
good sport to the angler—from twenty to forty fine fish,
weighing from § to 6 lbs. weight, may easily be secured by
one person in a day’s fishing within a few miles of the town
of Wellington.

Among other fishes equally good may be mentioned
Therapon niger, Cast., Murrayia giintheri, Cast.. M. cypri-
notdes, Cast., M. bramoides, Cas., Riverina fluviatilis, Cast.,
Macquaria australasica, Cuv. et Val. and others which
occasionally find their way into the southern markets.

Lates colonorum of Giinther forms a good article of food ;
it inhabits most of the rivers, lakes, and lagoons throughout

35

the whole of Australia, but is replaced in the northern
rivers by a much larger species known as Lates calcarifer,
which is more abundant.

L. colonorum is not unfrequently taken with nets in the
bays at the estuaries of the rivers, having been brought
down to the sea by the “freshes” or floods, also by “set”
nets in the rivers higher up the stream. When freshly
cooked they are among the best of our river fishes. They
spawn during August and September, the roes being con-
sidered a great delicacy. There are many other species,
such as Lates Ramsayt, MacLeay, Lates curtus, Cast., Mugil
dobula, Gth., Mugil argenteus, Eels (Anguilla australis, thé
freshwater Herring (J/eletta nove-hollandie), the Cat-fish
(Copidoglanis tandanus), and a host of small fry which
afford the anglers pleasant sport as well as a good dish,

But the most important of our freshwater fishes are
undoubtedly the two species of the Murray Cod (Olgorus),
the Golden Perch (Crenolates), 2 species, the Silver Perch
and MacLeay’s Perch (7herapon), the River Perch (Lates),
2 species, with the Eels (Axguzlla), of which there are also
probably 2 species.

EDWARD P. RAMSAY,

Commissioner of the New South Wales Fisheries.

DIVISION 46, e.

EDIBLE MOLLUSGA.
OYSTERS.

(Ostrea glomerata, O. virescens, O. subtrigonia, Sov,
O. mordax, G/d., O. edulis, var. purpurea, Hanley.)

A large collection of Oysters, in numerous varieties, and
from beds in different localities. Most of these beds are
natural beds, very few of them formed by artificial layings ;
all are under lease, and more or less under cultivation.

The Rock-Oysters, although usually known under several
different names, are now by most conchologists admitted to
be only localised varieties of one and the same species,
Ostrea glomerata. If we accept this view, then we have only
two species which are used as articles of food—O. glomerata,
in its many varieties, and O. edulis, L., O. purpurea being
only a variety of the latter, which is identical with the small
form known as the “ Native” in the London markets.

Ostrea sp. (No. 69), from Coffin’s Bay in South Australia,
is another variety of the same species found in the Adelaide
market, and frequently producing irregularly formed pearls
of large size but of no commercial value.

Ostrea virescens is a rare species, only occasionally found
at very low tides on some of the numerous islands in Port
Jackson. Other species (O. crzsta-galli and O. imbricata)
were obtained by Mr. A. Morton at Port Denison, Queens-
land; and the “Hammer-head Oyster” (Malleus albus,
Lam.), &c., are found on our coasts, but do not find their
way into the market as articles of food.

The following collection, from 70 different beds and loca-
lities, is exhibited to show the numerous forms which our

Ostrea glomerata assumes in various places, and the great

37

wealth which may be developed by proper legislation,
administration, and cultivation of the oyster-beds in N. S.
Wales.

Recent experiments tend to prove that the Rock-Oyster
of our shores (Nos. 10, 28, 40, 67), which is left dry by every
tide, is only a variety of the Drift-Oyster ; and spat taken
from the rocks at low tides, when laid in beds always
covered by the sea, are said to thrive well; and although
Oysters may thrive on natural beds of sud and sand, when-
ever these beds are over-dredged the animals become
diseased by the infiltration of mud into the shells. Steamer
traffic over the shallow water-beds of the Hunter River,
formerly so prolific, has in many cases either deteriorated
or completely destroyed them (see examples of this in
specimens No. 63). The black mud stirred up by steamer
traffic, and brought down by the tides or “freshes” in the
river, has infiltrated into the shell; the animal, unable to
get rid of it, has deposited a layer of nacre over it time
after time, until the shell has become formed of thin layers
of mud and nacre, and the animal becomes exhausted,
diseased, and dies. That natural Oyster-beds can and are,
in fact, being destroyed daily by over-dredging, and by
traffic when situated in shallow waters, in other countries as
well as in Australia, must be patent to any one who has
taken the trouble personally to examine into the subject.
It is also clear, from the numerous specimens exhibited
from our waters, that the depth up to 10 or 15 feet is not
material, although the best Oysters are obtained from the
shallowest beds, and are grown on a rough shelly, gravelly,
or stony bottom. The most highly prized in New South
Wales are those from the rocks or beds where the fresh and
salt water mingles at certain seasons of the year; for in-

stance, at the estuaries of the river and vicinity of fresh-

38

water creeks (see specimens No. 10). The value of Oysters

in Sydney is from 4s. to los. per bushel, and are retailed
at 6@. to Is. per dozen.

Those who are desirous of obtaining further information
on this subject will do well to consult the Reports of the
Royal Commission on the (Oyster) Fisheries of N.S. Wales,
1877, 1880, &c., and the ‘ Proceedings of the Linnean Society
of New South Wales’ for the last two or three years (1881
to 1883), where several interesting Papers will be found on
the subject by Dr. J.C. Cox, F.L.S., the Rev. J. E. Tenison-
Woods, F.L.S., and Mr. John Brazier, C.M.Z.S.

Newcastle Oysters, Hunter River.

No. 1. From the main channel known as the Bluff Bed : depth of

water from i to 24 feet.

2. From the Beaton Bed; depth of water from 4 to 15 feet.

3. From the western side of the Channel; part of it becomes
dry at low water ; the deepest part of it is about 8 feet.

4. From the western side of the Channel : part of it becomes
dry at low water; the deepest part of it is 5 feet.

5. Is from the first bed in Fulerton Cove on the east side of
the Bay; depth of water from 1 to 20 feet.

6. Is from the next bed on the west side of .the Channel ;
depth of water from 6 to 15 feet.

Hlawkesbury-River Oysters.

No. 7. From Browera Creek. Natural “Dredge Oysters.” Length
of bed 10 miles, 4 to 8 or 1o feet wide, with depth of

water 4 feet in some places, at others from ro to 12 feet
at low water.

8. From “Muna Muna” Creek. Cultivated Oysters, laid on
an artificial bed, under cultivation, at the entrance, in

Feb. 1882, have improved very well; depth of water
5 feet at low water.

Io.

No. 11.

I2.

14.

ip

16.

c7e

18.

19.

20.

No. 21.
Zia

39

. Cultivated Oysters, laid in March 1882 on a bed, at the

entrance to Mooney Creek, in 3 feet of water at low
water, have not done so well.

The very best Rock-Oysters ; dy at low water, very scarce,
and bring the highest price in the market when obtain-
able.

Manning-River Oysters.

From Harriett’s Bed; 100 yards long and to to 12 yards
broad ; depth of water 8 feet. This bed is now com-
pletely exhausted, the bottom being of black muddy
sand ; destroyed by over-dredging.

From Blackbutt’s Bed; 150 yards long and to to 12
yards wide ; depth of water 12 to 20 feet; bottom same
as above.

From mouth of Graham’s-Creek Bed; 150 yards long,
to 8 yards wide ; depth of water 4 to 8 feet.

From Lee’s Bed; 300 yards long, 60 to 70 yards wide ;
depth of water 5 to 12 feet ; rocky bottom, irregular.
From Owen Smith’s Back Bed ; 300 yards long, 60 yards
wide, depth 4 to 12 feet; bottom very rocky and

irregular.

From Shubert’s Bed; 300 yards long, 70 yards wide,
depth 2 to 12 feet.

From P. Smith’s Bed; 300 yards long, 10 to 20 yards
wide, depth 4 to 20 feet.

From Scott’s Creek Bed; 250 yards long, 20 yards wide,
depth 2 to ro feet ; rocky bottom.

From Catton Bed ; length 200 yards, breadth 60 yards;
depth of water from 3 to 20 feet; bottom—sand, clay,
and mud.

From McDermid’s Bed ; length 500 yards, breadth from
50 to 60 yards; depth of water from 5 to 16 feet ;
bottom rocky.

Clarence-River Oysters.

From the House Bed ; depth of water 3 feet.
From. the House Bed ; depth of water 6 feet.

40

23. From the House Bed; depth of water 17 feet. The
House Bed is the most important of the Clarence-River
Oyster-beds.

24. From Rotgut Bed; depth of water 3 feet.

25. From Rotgut Bed: depth of water 16 feet. The Oysters
from this bed have had an indifferent reception in the
market, and the bed has accordingly received its pecu-
liar name. The bed was well worked last year (1881),
and it is supposed that it is on this account that the
Oysters are this season (December 1882), for the first
time free from the objectionable defect from which the
bed takes its name.

26, From Captain Dick’s Bed ; depth 4 to 6 feet in the Lake
Channel ; with an area of about 3} acres; and produces
the best quality of Oysters.

27. From the Mud Patch; depth 12 to 14 feet. It is a small
bed, interrupted in places with mud patches, hence its
name.

28. Rock-Oysters, taken from the stones on the inner side of
the dyke at the Clarence Heads. - 7

29. From Brodie’s Bed ; depth 3 to 6 feet.

30. From Brodie’s Bed; depth 16 feet. Contains an area of
about 8 acres.

31. From Lake Bed, which covers an area of 7 acres, and
is said to have been one of the finest beds in the
Clarence River; several portions of it have been
covered by shifting sand; depth of water 8 to 4 feet.

Moruya-River Oysters.

No. 32. The Beds extend about half a mile on each side of the
river, and are covered with from 8 to 12 feet of water.

Shoalhaven-River Oysters.

No. 33. Bed 300 yards from the mouth of Broughton Creek, and
about 200 yards long; depth of water from 10 to
16 feet ; rocky bottom.

34:
35:
No. 36.

37:

38.

No. 39.
4o.

No. 45s

46.
47.

. “Big HalfMoon Bed;” about 1oo yards lon

4!

Bed about 4oo yards from Broughton Creek; about
150 yards long; depth of water 12 feet ; rocky bottom.

Bed about too yards long; depth of water from 7 to
14 feet; rocky bottom.

Fervis-Bay Oysters.

Currambene Creek , the bed is about 2 miles from the
mouth of the Creek ; about 150 yards long; depth of
water from 5 to ro feet ; rocky bottom.

Currambene Creek ; bed about 300 yards from the above-
mentioned bed ; about 200 yards long ; depth of water
from 5 to 12 feet ; rocky bottom.

From Bherrewerre; the length of the bed is about
200 yards; depth of water from 4 to 9g feet; rocky
bottom.

Crookhaven-River Oysters.

Bed worked out ; depth from 6 to 8 feet; bottom, shells.
Rock-Oysters from the Dyke, Crookhaven River.

George’s-River Oysters.

. O’Connell’s Oyster-Bed dredging-ground ; length of bed

about 400 yards, width about 40 yards; depth of water
to to 20 feet.

. Oven-Reach Bed; about 20 chains long ; width of bed

about 25 yards; depth of water 20 to 30 feet.

. Punt-Reach Bed; about 150 yards long, width about

20 yards ; depth of water about ro to 15 feet.
g, width

5)
about 20 yards ; depth of water about 20 to 25 feet.

Richmond-River Oysters.

Known as the Upper Bed; dredged from the depth of
reteet.

Taken from a mud-flat left bare at low water.

Rock-Oysters taken from the rock at the Pilot Station,
Richmond-River Heads.

No. 48,
49.
50.
Bike
52!
53:

54.
55:

56.

No. 57.

58.

59:

60.
61.

No. 62.

42

Clyde-River Oysters.

Sample from 14 to 20 feet depth of water ; bottom shelly
and shingly.

Sample from 25 to 35 feet depth of water; bottom, hard
slaty bed with large loose rock.

Sample from r2 to 20 feet depth of water ; bottom gravel
and shell.

A hard rock-bed with large loose stones; depth of water
about 40 feet.

Soft shingly rock-bed of a yellow colour ; depth of water
about 14 to 20 feet.

Shell and shingly bed, with a rocky shore ; depth of water
about 20 feet.

Hard rocky bottom ; depth of water about 60 feet.

Hard slaty-rock bed; very few shells; depth of water
about 40 feet.

Soft yellow-rock bed ; no shingle; depth of water from
14 to 20 feet.

Camden-Haven Oysters.

“ Stinker’s Creek ;” depth of water 6 to 10 feet, with pipe-
clay and ironstone bottom covered with oyster-shells
and sandy mud.

Lower Bed, Maine River; depth of water ro to 13 feet,
with broken shells and sandy mud bottom.

Middle Bed, Maine River; depth of water 6 to 10 feet,
with shells and sandy mud bottom.

Known as the upper or top bed, Maine River.

The upper or top bed, Maine River ; depth of water from
6 to 9 feet, with oyster-shells and silty bottom.

Lake-Tuross Oysters.

TRUE Mup-OystTer.
Ostrea edulis, Linn., var, purpurea, Hanley ; O Angasit,
Sowerby.

43

Sample of Newcastle Oysters, being destroyed by steam traffic

No. 63.

No. 64.

No. 65.

No. 66.

No. 67.

No. 68.

No. 69.

an the river.

These oysters are being destroyed by the large quantity of
silt spreading over the natural Oyster-bed ; they only
live a few days after being taken from the water, and
even when freshly-opened the animal is of a dirty-white
colour, and quite unfit for food.

Cape-Hawke Oysters.

This is the so-called Drift Oyster of the Sydney Oystermen
Ostrea subtrigona of Sowerby.
An overgrown form of Ostrea glomerata, Gld. |

Lake Cutgee, near Bermagut.

TRUE Mup-OysTer.
Ostrea edulis, Linn., var. purpurea, Hanley : O. Angasii,
Sowerby.

Auckland, New Zealand.

ROCK-OYSTER.
Ostrea glomerata, Gld.

Cape Upstart, Queensland.

Rock OysTErR.
Ostrea mordax, Gld. Variety of Ostrea glomerata, Gld.

THE TRUE Mup-OystTEr.
Ostrea edulis, Linn., var. O. purpurea (Hanley) ;
O. Angasii (Sowerby).
From Port Jackson.

A variety of the Mup-OyvsTER (O. edulis, L.), from the
South Coast of Australia, about 130 miles west of
Adelaide, near Coffin’s Bay ; hard limestone bottom, no
mud.

This variety produces pearls, but of no commercial value,
(Obtained from Messrs. Taylor Brothers, Adelaide.)

44

No. 70. OSTREA VIRESCENS, Axgas.
A rare species found at very low tides on some of the
- . . ?
small islands in Port Jackson. (From Mr. Brazier’s

collection. )

COEEECTION*: OF OTHER EDIBLE-MOLLUSEA

1. Haliotis nevosa, Mart.

The “ Mutton-fish,” or Ear-shell as it is sometimes called,
was once very abundant on our coast, and is still plentiful
on certain unfrequented parts. It is considered a great
delicacy by the Chinese, by whom it is chiefly used, and
worth from 10d. to Is. per Ib.

1a. Animal dried; 1 4. Animal dried and salted; Ic.
The shell as used for making ornaments, &c.

2. Ninella straminea, Mart.

Found under ledges of the rocks at low water, and still
tolerably plentiful in the neighbourhood of Port Jackson.
With other shellfish they formed one of the chief articles of
food in the early days of the aborigines, and are still eaten
by some of the colonists; when boiled slowly or steamed
for a considerable time, the animal becomes soft and is
easily extracted from its shell. The shells are used for
ornaments when polished, and in the manufacture of but-
tons. Zoologists may be interested in the fact that a small
parasitic crustacean is sometimes found imbedded in the
integument of this species.

3. Trochocochlea teniata, Q. cf G.
4. Tectarius pyramidalis, Quoy.
5. Littorina mauritiana, Zam.
These, known under the name of “Periwinkles,” are

occasionally eaten, being sold in the streets to the juvenile

45

members of the community. They are found in consider-

able numbers on the rocky shores all along our coasts.

6. Potamides ebeneum, rug.

This is a much larger animal than any of the preceding,
and, although frequently eaten, is more often used as bait
by amateur fishermen. It abounds on the extensive mud
and sandy flats of Port Jackson and other inlets of the
coast, and may be gathered in quantities at low tides,

7. Triton australis, Zam.

Formerly plentiful in crevices under shelving rocks on
the seaboard, Seldom used as food, perhaps from its
scarcity. It is a fine handsome shell, and attains compara-

tively a large size.

8 Mytilus hirsutus, Zam.

This bivalve, frequently known as the “ Mussel,” is found
in large quantities, growing together in masses on the rocky
shores often left dry by the tides, but also at a considerable
depth. When roasted it has much the same flavour as an
oyster treated in the same way, and is esteemed by many
people. It may be cooked in a variety of ways, as clams

are in America.

9. Anomalocardia trapezia, Desh.

Usually known as “Clams,” &c.; this species is quite
equal to the well-known clam of America. It is to be
reeretted that it is not more in use as an article of food in
the colonies. Numbers may be taken by trawling over the
sandy flats at the mouths of the Hunter and Paramatta
rivers, &c., or at low tides by wading among the sea-grass

(Zostera) nearer the shore.

46
10. Tapes undulata, Born.

This species is not often used as an article of food in the
colonies, although allied species are usually eaten in other
countries. A very small species of an allied genus found
at Alexandria is used at Aden and Port Said as a common

article of food.

11. Tridachna elongata, Zam.

This species is common on the reefs on Lord Howe’s
Island, and is palatable and nutritious. Like the “Clam,”

it may be cooked in a variety of ways.

12. Chione calophylla.

This species is only obtainable by dredging or trawling,
unless baited traps be used. While evidence is wanting as
to its use as an article of food, being probably not found
in sufficient numbers, there is no reason to doubt its use-
fulness in this way. It was formerly much sought after by
conchologists, being a very ornamental species and some-
what rare; lately, however, it has been found comparatively
plentiful at the mouth of the Paramatta river and Lane
Cove, on a black-mud bottom.

13. Ostrea virescens, Angas.

It is to be hoped that no naturalist would have the
hardihood to break open the shell of so rare a species for
the sake of the delicious morsel contained therein. Ostrea
virescens is only found at very low tides on certain islands
in Port Jackson. The specimens have been obtained from
Mr. John Brazier, C.M.Z.S., who has also been good enough
to furnish the scientific names of the shells mentioned in the
foregoing collections, according to the latest version by con-

chologists.

47

DIVISION 54, n.
GROUP OF AUSTRALIAN EARED SEALS.

Arctocephalus (Otaria) cinereus, Pévon. Adults, male and
Sematle, and young ones.

There are two, if not three, species of seals still frequenting
the New South Wales coast. The largest, called the sea-
leopard, Stenorhynchus leptonyx, is the rarest, being only
occasionally found after severe gales, and then generally in
a dead or dying condition. Some of these animals attain
the length of from 10 to 14 feet. The skin would make
good leather, but it is of no value for its fur, and being so
seldom found cannot be looked upon as of any commercial
value.

The more common species, Ofaria cinerea, Péron, which
a few years ago was so rapidly becoming extinct that it was
found necessary to have them protected by Government,
is now happily on the increase, and a fine herd of this beau-
tiful species still inhabits the “Seal Rocks,” a little north of
Port Stephens. With respect to this species Professor J.
W. Clark, of Cambridge, has kindly sent me the following
Note .——

Otaria cinerea. Péron.

“This species was first determined by Péron, whose
‘Voyage aux Terres Australes’ was published in 1810.
He brought home no specimens; but a skull, collected at
Port Western by MM. Quoy and Gaimard in 1830, was
considered by them to represent Peron’s species. This
skull is now in the Museum at Paris, and may be regarded
as the type of the species. The skull of the male exhibited
in the New South Wales Court has been compared with it,

48

and the two are certainly identical. It is the first time
that the animal has been seen in England.”

An interesting account of the seal fisheries formerly car-
ried on in the Australian colonies will be found in Mr. A.
W. Scott’s valuable work on seals and whales.

SIRENIA,

Halicore australis. THe Duconc. Male and female.

A fine pair of these curious creatures*, with oil and lard
extracted from their flesh, samples of the skin and_ hide,
and salted meat from the same animals.

The oil is nutritious and in great demand for medicinal
as well as culinary purposes, being considered superior to
cod-liver oil by many medical men; it is pleasant to the
taste, resembling fresh olive-oil, and perfectly colourless
when pure, becoming opaque and white with cold below
Oar.

The food of the Dugong consists of sea-grasses, chiefly
a species of Zostera, which grows luxuriantly on the sandy
mud-flats at the mouth and estuaries of rivers, and in the
shallow bays along the coast. They are still plentiful all along
the north-east coast, and extend their wanderings as far south
as Moreton Bay, where at one time they were also plentiful ;
and they have been occasionally observed as far south as the
Tweed and Richmond rivers ; but this is now of rare occur-
rence. The colour of the living animal varies in tints of
very light olive-brown above, the belly being of a pale flesh-
colour ; when dead the colour of the back becomes lighter,

the olive tints fading away. Some specimens, notably two

* The animals have been carefully cured and beautifully mounted
by Mr. E. Spalding, late of Sydney, now Taxidermist in the Brisbane
Museum, Queensland.

49

(male and female), taken March 1874 at Rockingham Bay,
were, when dead, of a uniform dull flesh-colour, and
measured respectively 8 and 10 feet ; but as a rule the male
is the larger.

In its habits, actions, and movements in the water the
Dugong closely resembles the Manatus. Some few years
ago dugong-fishing was carried on with much energy in
Moreton Bay, Wide Bay, and also in the vicinity of Rock-
hampton, &c., where these grotesque mammals were then
abundant. Of late years, however, they have become so
scarce that the fisheries have been abandoned, and the
species thus saved for a time from being exterminated.

Dr. Hobbs, of Brisbane, who has studied the Dugong
from a commercial point of view more closely than any one
else in the colonies, was the first to bring the nutritive and
medicinal qualities of the oil prominently before the public ;
his numerous Papers and valuable pamphlets published on
the subject at various times, extending over a period of
many years, testify to the large amount of labour, skill, and
ability expended thereon.

51

INDEX.

AUSTRALIAN food-fishes, notes of the chief families, 6-35
Australian museum, the, exhibits supplied by the Trustees of, 3

BARRACOUTA, the, a valuable fish, cured for export, 18
Berycide, food fishes afforded by the family of the, 6
Black-bream, an important food fish, 12

Black rock-cod, general habits, and description of, 8, 9

** Blue Groper,” the, a large and valuable fish, 24, 25
‘*Bonite,” the, occasionally caught in the Australian seas, 19
** Bull’s eye,” the, a beautiful and good table fish, 9

Carangide, importance of this large family, 20
op great quantities found at certain seasons, of this family, 4, 5
Cirrhitide, a valuable family of food fishes, 13
Clutpeide, abundance of the herring tribe, 4
95 species of the, most abundant and useful, 29, 30
Cod tribe, almost entirely absent in the Australian seas, 4
Cyttide, members of this family classed among the best food fishes, 20

DuGonG, the, general description of, and its commercial uses and
value, 48, 49

EELs, description of the various species most frequently obtained, 30, 31

FIsH curing, difficulties connected with, 5

Fisheries of New South Wales, the, extracts from the report of the Royal
Commission 1880, 8, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 29, 30

Flatheads, excellence of the, as food fishes, 13, 14

Flounders, See Soles.

Flying Gurnets, excellent, but rare fish, 14

Fresh-water fishes, various species of, 33-35

Gadide, very few species of this family in the Australian seas, 25
Gar-fish, the, a favourite and abundant species, 28, 29

Gerrid@, great numbers caught at certain seasons, 10

Gurnets (fl ing) good, but scarce food-fish, 14

52
HERRINGS, principally caught in the winter, but not much valued, 30

Jew-FISH, the, an abundant and useful food-fish, 16, 17
John Dorey, the, its habits and scarcity, 20

KING-fish, the, one of the most destructive fishes in the Australian seas, 21
of principally caught off the coasts of Tasmania, 18

Labride, an important family of food fishes, 24, 25
“© Leather Jackets,” good table fish, but regarded by fishers as a pest, 31

MACKEREL, abundance of, on the coasts, 18, 19
Maori, the, description of the habits of, 25
“* Maray,” the, excellent bloaters made of this fish, 30
Mollusca (edible), notes of some of the exhibits in the New South Wales
Court, 36-46
Mugtlide, the, a valuable and widespread group of fishes, 22-24
33 most valuable for canning purposes, 4
Mullets, general description and habits of the different species of, 22-24
» red. See Mullide.
Mullide, species of food fishes supplied by the family of the, 10
Murenide, members of this family most frequently obtained, 30, 31
Murray cod, the largest freshwater fish, and very valuable for food, 33, 34
“*Mannagai,” description of the food-fish known as the, 6

NETS, only kinds in general use, 5
New South Wales, principal features of the Court at the International Fisheries
Exhibition, 5)

OysTERS, description of the various species exhibited in the New South Wales
Court, 36-44
Oyster-beds, depth of water and locality of the principal fisheries, 38-44

PERCH, the, importance of, as an article of food, 10

», (freshwater), abundance of, in some of the rivers of the Colony, 34
Percidz, general description of, the family of, 6-10
Pleuronectide, \arge number of the species, but scarcity of the supply, 26, 27
Polynemide, scarcity of this family on the coasts, 17

Rays, list of the various species found in Port Jackson, 32, 33

Red rock-cod, edible species of, 13

Royal Commission on the Fisheries of New South Wales, 1880, extracts from
the Report of the, $, 12, 15, 16, 173, 18, 21, 225-20, 30

SALMON, introduced into the Tasmanian waters, 4
Salmon-trout, description of the fish so called, 7
Schnapper, the, general description and habits of, 11, 12
Scienide, a valuable family of food fishes, 16, 17

33

Scienide, immense quantities found at certain seasons of the year, 4, 5
Sclerodermi, peculiarities of this family, 31
Scombresocide, large quantities taken at certain seasons, 4, 5

7 names and description of the different species of this family,
28, 29
Scombride, abundance of this food family, 4, 5
ag groups comprised in the family of the, 18, 19

Scopelide, general description of this family of food fishes, 28
Sea bream, scarcity and peculiarities of, 9
Seals, species of, frequenting the coast of the colony, 47, 48
Sharks, list of the species found in Port Jackson, 31, 32
Stluride, useful family of food fishes, but not much in demand, 27, 28
Silver-bream, general description of the, 10
Skates considered unfit for food, 32, 33
Soles, scarcity of the supply of, and usual mode of catching by spearing, 26, 27
Sparide, abundance of this family in the Australian waters, 4, 5

” chief supply of food fishes derived from the family of the, 10-12
Sphyrenide, a good, but scarce family of food fishes, 17, 18
Squamipinnes, only one fish of this family used for food, 12
“* Sweep,” the, only member of the Squamipinnes family used for food, 12

‘* TAILOR,” the, a good fish, but chiefly used for bait, 22
Tarwhine, the, an important food-fish, 12
Teraglin, the, its similarity to the Jew fish, 17
Trachinide, abundance of the, found at certain seasons, 4, 5
rf general description of the family of the, 14-16
Trichinride, members of this family principally caught off the Tasmanian
coast, 18
Triglide and Cottina, species of, which can be classed as edible, 13, 14
Trumpeter perch, the, peculiarities and habits of, 7, 8

WHITE trevally, the, principal means of taking, 20
Whitings, general habits of, and value of the species as food fishes, 14-16

Wirrah, the, a handsome member of the Percidz family, 9

YELLOW-TAIL, the, habits of, and its value as bait, 20, 21

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