48 THE EDIBLE FISHES OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 



THE COD FAMILY. 



Beardia or Ling {Lotella callarias). 



Fairly abundant along parts of the New South Wales 

 coastline, particularly in ocean waters of a few fathoms in 

 depth in the vicinity of rocky and weedy localities. It is of 

 some value as an edible fish. 



The Beardie is a small-scaled species, of a rich chestnut- 

 brown on the upper parts, being lighter on the lower surface. 

 It attains a length of about i8 inches. 



There is a small barbel on the chin. 

 Red Cod {Physiculus backus). 



Plate XVL 



This fish is somewhat similar in general form to the 

 preceding, but attains commonly a much larger size. It is 

 not at present taken in any abundance on the New South 

 Wales coast, though during the cooler months it appears to 

 be present in fair numbers along the southern portion. 



With the exception of the lower parts, the Red Cod is of 

 a uniform reddish or reddish-brown tinge. 



THE NANNYGAI FAMILY. 



Nannygai {Beryx afjinis). 



Plate XVII. 



This beautiful fish is plentifully distributed along the sea- 

 board of New South Wales, inhabiting water from a few 

 fathoms in depth down to 80 fathoms or perhaps more. 

 (Young examples are often taken in the moderately-deep 

 water of the harbors.) It is essentially a " line fish," and 

 is at times captured in great numbers in the neighbourhood 

 of sunken reefs and rocky bottoms. It takes a' flesh bait 

 very readily. 



