182 FISHES OF AUSTRALIA. 



The Black Sole is very abundant along the coast of New 

 South Wales, and the southernmost portion of that of 

 Queensland ; probably occurring also along the northern 

 parts of Victoria. It frequents the mud-flats and muddy 

 bottoms ; being found commonly in water from a few inches 

 in depth down to 3 or 4 fathoms. In the vicinity of Sydney 

 the localities where they are most plentiful are George's 

 River, Parramatta River (the head of Port Jackson) and 

 Middle Harbour (Port Jackson). During the summer 

 months, when these fishes are spawning, large numbers of 

 mature specimens are to be found on the sandy flats in 

 Botany Bay, at the entrances to George's River and Cook's 

 River. Most of the Soles captured at this time and at this 

 locality, have assumed consequent upon their altered sur- 

 roundings quite a light sandy-colour. During the last 

 few years a rich harvest of large marketable fishes has been 

 reaped amongst these spawners, by fishermen using a long 

 shallow kind of trammel-net. Unfortunately however, most 

 of the fishes so caught are full-roed ; thus a large contribu- 

 tion of eggs to the local supply is forever lost. (In regard 

 to the ripe eggs ; they are comparatively large ; not "very 

 small" as stated by Ogilby.) 



The normal colours of the Black Sole are as follows: 

 The blind side is whitish or yellowish-white. The upper 

 side is of a rich olive-brown, mottled over with large, irre- 

 gular, darker blotches. There is a certain amount of varia- 

 tion, according to the situation. 



This species is fairly common in the fish markets of 

 Sydney, but is not so abundantly represented as it would 

 be if a special fishery existed for it. Nearly all of the Black 

 Soles netted (with the exception of those just mentioned 

 as being captured in Botany Bay) are caught amongst other 

 fishes. They always bring a higher price and in certain 

 quarters are highly esteemed. 



The Black Sole grows to a length of 14 inches, with a. 

 weight of about 2 pounds. 



The Tongue-Fish is a native of the coasts of New 

 South Wales and Queensland, being also found at Lord 

 Howe Island. From its very elongate form it has earned 

 the common-name here used. The outline of the bodv is 



