A USEFUL NET. lOQ 



with Scorpccna cruenta that we are more dkectly concerned 

 here. This is a very common object in the fish markets of 

 New South Wales, and, as its flesh is usually considered to be 

 of very good quality, the fish always finds a ready sale. 



It is a large-eyed species, of somewhat fierce — or, perhaps 

 I should say, grotesque — mien. Between the eyes is a deep 

 groove, and scattered over the skin of the head and the 

 rounded, robust body, are numerous short, skinny appendages. 

 The head is heavily armed, and is covered with hard bony 

 ridges and sharp spines. The grotesque shape of this fish, 

 coupled with its beautiful protective coloration, are very 

 effective aids to concealment when it is amongst rocks and 

 weeds— its natural surroundings — and must assist it greatly 

 also, in obtaining a large part of its food, which consists of 

 small rock-frequenting organisms generally. 



As I mentioned in " Fishes of Australia," the general 

 color is a rich carmine — very bright towards the back, while 

 the lower parts are a pearly-white. There is a broad trans- 

 verse pink spot, which is narrowest in the middle, immediately 

 at the back of the head on the occiput. The lower surface of 

 the head is a pale red, marbled with yellow, with which color 

 the lips are banded. On the sides are scattered many dark 

 chocolate-colored spots, particularly over the lower portions. 



The Red Rock Cod is usually captured by means of hook 

 and line, with a flesh bait. It may also be taken with that 

 valuable net, the " Trammel," which, as I have before 

 mentioned, is so little used here at present. 



It commonly grows to a length of 12 inches, though 

 examples up to 18 inches in length are not infrequently 

 obtained. 



Bynoe's Rock Cod {Scorpcena bynoensis). 



This is a smaller species than the common Red Rock 

 Cod, to which it is closely allied. It is of little economic 

 importance at present in New South Wales waters, as it is 

 rarely obtained, and it does not appear to me probable that 

 it will ever add largely to our food supply. 



