286 THE GREAT BARRIER REEF. 



Lethrimts imperialis, De V., having brilliant vermilion tints, is popularly named the Emperor. 

 Another representative of the genus, the so-called " Pig-faced bream " of the Wide Bay district, 

 Lcthriims rostrafiis, C. & V., or a near ally, is represented on Plate XLV., Fig. 3. Its colours 

 in life are a golden-brown, varied by a scarlet band along the outer edge of the dorsal fin, while 

 stripes of a similar colour occur round the eye and at the bases of the pectoral and ventral fins. 



The family of the Scorpaenidag, embracing the red rock-cods, or rock-gurnets, is represented 

 in Queensland waters by numerous species. Six of these belong to the genus Centropogon, and 

 are closely allied to C. aiisfralis, White, the typical rock-gurnet of the Melbourne market. Four 

 others are referable to the genus Scorpaena, and include among their number the Sydney red rock- 

 cods, Scorpama cruenta and S. cardinalis, Rich., the latter species being also known here by the 

 name of the cardinal. All the members of this genus are more or less esteemed for food. They 

 are essentially ground or " bottom " fishes, easily recognised by their large spinous heads ; while 

 many of the species are further distinguished by the presence of skinny tentacles and 

 appendages, developed chiefly on the head, but also more or less extensively on other 

 portions of the surface of the body. 



A fish, belonging to the family of the Scorpaenidae, whose appearance does not recommend it 

 for the table, but which is nevertheless so highly prized by the more wealthy Chinese residents 

 of Cooktown, that they willingly buy it from their fellow-countrymen for no less a sum than 

 2s. 6d. per lb., is illustrated by Plate XLVII., Fig. i. This is the so-called Stone-fish, 

 Synancidiiim horridimi, L., and, in addition to its forbidding aspect, it bears an evil reputation 

 on account of the painful nature of the wounds it is capable of inflicting. The bases of the 

 anterior dorsal spines are surrounded by glands secreting a milky fluid, which apparently, as in 

 the allied European forms known as the weevers or sting-fish, Trachinns vipera and T. draco, 

 possess the properties of a highly irritant poison. The flesh of the stone-fish, when cooked, has 

 a peculiar short, fibrous, texture, combined with a flavour much resembling that of crab. Its 

 habits are exceedingly sluggish, and as it lies hidden among stones or dead coral debris, it so 

 closely corresponds with these in aspect, as to be only with difficulty detected. The Stone- 

 fish rarely exceeds a length of from twelve to fifteen inches, or a weight of from one to two 

 pounds. In the illustration given, two young specimens which were found in close proximity to 

 the adult have been simultaneously photographed. 



The small family group of the Teuthididas, represented by the single genus Teuthis, includes 

 some half-a-dozen Queensland species which are more or less esteemed for food. In consequence 

 of their somewhat resembling the ordinary trevallies, Carangidae, in shape, they are usually 

 associated with them by the uninitiated. In this manner, three of the commoner Queensland 

 species, Teuthis Jlava, De V., T. albo-pimctata, Schl., and T. ncbulosa, Q. & G., are popularly 

 known as the yellow, the spotted, and the clouded trevally — this last-named fish being also 

 identical with the black trevally of the Sydney market. The construction of the fins of this 



