Part 21 (1/2)

No. 14.--APISTES. Apparently scaleless, and without free pectoral rays.

Does not correspond well with A. MARMORATUS. ”Rays, D. 12,” etc. Caught by Seine, 18th March, 1841.

The fishermen dread wounds made by the species of this fish, as they always fester.

Native name BOORA-POKEY, or POKY. SERGEANT of the settlers.

No. 36.--PLATYCEPHALUS.--Native name c.u.mBEL. Common Flat-head of the settlers. Seems to differ from described species in the two dark bars of the tail, being directly transverse, and followed by five large dark purple round spots.

Inhabits sandy sh.o.r.es very commonly, all round the coast of New Holland.

A variety occurs at Maria Island, Van Diemen's Land. Caught by hook, 15th May, 1841. Good eating.

MULLIDAE.

No. 13.--UPENEUS.--Native name, MINAME, or KGNARNUCK (the bearded); ”Red mullet” of the settlers.

PERCIDAE.

No. 46.--ENOPLOSUS ARMATUS. Cuv. et Val. 2, p. 133, pl. 20.--Native name, KARLOCK. Speared by a native, June 1841. Inhabits rocky sh.o.r.es.

BERYCIDAE.

No. 2.--BERYX LINEATUS, C. and V. 3, p. 226.--Native name, CHETONG. Red Snapper, or Tide-fisher of the sealers. Very common in the bays of rocky sh.o.r.es. ”Rays, D. 5-14; A. 4-13; P. 12; V. 1-7.”

SPHYRAENIDAE.

No. 59.--SPHYROENA.--Native name, KORDONG. ”Rays, D. 5, 1-9; A. 11; P.

13; V. 1-5.”

The ”Common Baracoota” is found off the whole coast of New Holland, but the KORDONG seems to be peculiar to Western Australia. It comes into the shallow bays in summer; and being a sluggish fish, is easily speared by the natives, who esteem it to be excellent food. It will lay for a minute looking with indifference at its enemy, while he poises the fatal and unerring spear. Specimen caught in a net, December, 1841.

SILLAGINIDAE.

No. 25.--SILLAGO.--Native name, MURDAR. ”Rock whiting” of the settlers.

”Rays, D. 10-23; A. 18; P. 13; A. 5.”

Inhabits rocky sh.o.r.es and deep water. Caught by the seine, 3rd April, 1841. Good eating.

No. 11.--SILLAGO PUNCTATA, C. et V 3, P. 413.--Native name MURDAR.

”Common whiting” of the settlers. ”Rays, D. 12, 1-26; A. 22; P. 11; V.

5.”

Inhabits shallow sandy bays abundantly, and is much admired for the delicacy of its flesh, but it is dryer eating than the whiting of Europe.

SCIAENIDAE.

No. 55.--CORVINA?--Native name T'CHARK or T'CHYARK. King-fish of the sealers. ”Rays, D. 9--1-27; A. 1-7; P. 15; V. 1-5.”