C6 THE EDIBLE FISHES OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 



Spotted Whiting {Sillago punctata). 



Plate XXXVL 



As far as New South Wales is concerned, this is, com- 

 mercially, the least important of our whitings. It is a 

 southern species, and begins to be abundant as we approach 

 the "Victorian coastline. Still, occasionally, a few baskets of 

 Spotted Whiting are forwarded to the Sydney markets from 

 our southern districts. 



This species grows to a considerable size, examples of 

 i8 inches or more being not uncommon. In form it is 

 elongate (considerably more so than those previously men- 

 tioned), while the scales are very numerous, and correspond- 

 ingly small. 



The term " spotted " is applied to this fish on account 

 of the large number of dark spots with which the sides are 

 ornamented. 



THE JEWFISH FAMILY. 



Jewfish {Scicena antarctica). 



Plate XXXVIL 



This is, at present, one of our most important food-fishes, 

 and it is likely in the future to be of still greater value, as 

 the demand for it is constantly increasing, while our resources, 

 as far as its supply is concerned, are but just tapped. 



Th2 Jewfish is a voracious and powerful fish, attaining 

 often a weight of from 60 to 70 pounds, though the average 

 of those principally brought to market would be from about 

 20 to 30 pounds. Thousands, ranging from 18 inches up to 

 about 5 feet, are captured for food purposes on the coast of 

 New South Wales annually. It is common at all times along 

 our coastline, inhabiting the estuaries and harbors, and also 

 the coastal beaches — particularly in the vicinity of lake- 

 entrances. In some cases it ascends some of our rivers^ 

 going right up into fresh water. Though, as I have said, it 



