102 FISHES OF AUSTRALIA. 



by two (or three) hoops, about 3 feet 9 inches in diameter 

 and about 5 feet apart, making the trap about 5 feet long. 

 The wings may be from 8 feet to 15 feet in length.* These 

 nets are set along the banks in shallow water. 



Another net sometimes used for the capture of Murray 

 Cod is that known as the "Trap-net" or "Bag-net." This 

 has a kind of bag or pocket in the centre. In use, it is set 

 with its mouth facing up stream, across a creek or the mouth 

 of a lagoon. It is held open by the current running out 

 as the river falls, catching all fishes trying to regain the main 

 river. 



Much more that would be of interest and value might 

 be written in regard to the capture of Murray Cod and of 

 the gear used in the retaining of them alive prior to des- 

 patching them to market, but we must now pass on to a 

 further discussion of the members of the Perch family. 



The Wirrah is, so far as at present known, a native 

 of the waters of New South Wales and Western Australia, 

 not having been recorded from any other State. (Only one 

 record of its occurrence in Western Australia exists.) 

 Though it attains to fairly-large dimensions, this species is 

 not at present considered of much importance as a food- 

 fish ; as the flesh is tough and is not of good flavour. How- 

 ever, examples of a foot or more in length, are often eaten, 

 and are considered by some to be "very fair." As in all 

 other cases in which the flavor of a fish is called in ques- 

 tion, so here a great diversity of opinion exists, and I have 

 even heard the taste of Wirrah compared to that of crusJied 

 ants. I leave it to the reader to judge for himself. 



When freshly captured the Wirrah has a most beau- 

 tiful appearance, being of a rich golden greenish-brown, 

 spotted over with numerous, small, round, blue spots ; these 

 being on a chocolate ground. Soon after death the colours 

 fade a great deal and the blue color of the spots disappears, 

 leaving only the brown. 



It attains to a length of about 20 inches and is a most 

 voracious fish ; lurking in dark, quiet nooks and crannies of 

 the rocks and suddenly rushing out upon its victim, which 



* In New South Wales 8 feet is the greatest length allowed by Law. 



