194 FISHES OF AUSTRALIA. 



Often the black is arranged in the form of broad, irregular, 

 vertical bands. 



The possession of such an ugly head coupled with its 

 known power to cause such nasty wounds, has brought about 

 in many people a strong feeling against using this fish as 

 food and has even given rise to an idea in some quarters 

 that the flesh is poisonous, but such a fear is altogether 

 unwarranted, as the Bullrout is usually both wholesome and 

 palatable. 



This species is one of those which, while occurring 

 commonly in the upper portions of our harbours and 

 estuaries also penetrate far up into the fresh-waters of our 

 eastern rivers. When in fresh-water it usually assumes a 

 more dingy tint. It loves to lurk in weedy patches, from 

 where it dashes out suddenly upon its prey. 



Though occurring more commonly in New South Wales 

 waters it is also found along part of the eastern coast of 

 Queensland and probably in Victoria. 



It attains a length of about 12 inches, examples of 8 

 to 10 inches being more commonly seen. 



When captured this fish emits a loud and harsh grunt- 

 ing sound. 



The Fortescue is somewhat similar to the preceding 

 and is often considered by fishermen and others to be 

 merely the young of the Bullrout ; but this idea is altogether 

 wrong ; as, of course, this species is quite distinct. The 

 Fortescue inhabits, by preference, bottoms covered with 

 marine growths ; such as are to be found near to and inside 

 the entrances to some of our harbours notably that off 

 Vaucluse in Port Jackson. Its head is even more heavily- 

 armed that is relatively than its larger congener; the 

 spines being longer and still more acute ; and, like the latter, 

 it uses this armature to produce very painful stinging 

 wounds. 



In colour, this species is much lighter than the preced- 

 ing, being of a light yellowish-grey with dark vertical bands 

 at intervals along the body. 



Though the Fortescue attains not uncommonly a length 

 of 6 inches, the size of those more usually seen is from 3 

 to 4 inches. 



