UNCOUTH, BUT EDIBLE. II7 



THE AUSTRALIAN ROCKLING. 



Australian Rockling {(iemjpterus blacodes). 



Pi. ATI-. LXXXI. 



This eel-shaped lish is rarely taken on the coast of New 

 South Wales. It is a southern species, occurring more plenti- 

 fully in the waters of Victoria, and growing to a length of 

 over 3 feet. As in the other members of this family of fishes, 

 there are no true ventral fins, these being replaced by a pair 

 of bifid filaments or barbels, which are placed beneath the 

 lower jaw. In this connection, I may mention that in an 

 example of the Australian Rockling which I received some 

 time ago and which was captured at Ulladulla, N.S.W., the 

 barbels were conspicuous by their absence, their loss having, 

 apparently, been brought about by some accident, as there 

 is a very pronounced contusion in the vicinity of, and a" 

 little behind the position in which the}^ should naturally be.* 



THE LEATHERJACKETS. 



Yellow Leatherjacket {Monacanthus ayraucU). 



Of the many species of Leatherjacket inhabiting the coastal 

 waters of New South Wales, this is one of the most abundant. 

 Always to be captured in greater or lesser numbers, at fairly 

 frequent intervals vast shoals make their appearance. While 

 undoubtedly a veritable pest to line fishermen, its good 

 quality as an edible fish is rapidly bringing it to the fore, and 

 I feel sure that the time is not far distant when it will be in 

 very great demand as an article of food, and when it will be 

 looked upon as one of our important food-fishes. Even at 

 the present time quite a considerable quantity is consumed 

 annually, and boiled or fried leatherjacket is a common item 

 on the " bill of fare," whereas only a few years ago most 



* I have previously drawn attention to this : ndr my " Additions to the Fish- 

 Fauna of New South Wales'' (No. i), 1907, p. 25. 



