FOOD AND FANCY FISHES. 297 



to a sufficient size, or occur in sufficient abundance, to occupy an important position in the 

 public food supply. Not improbably, however, the more systematic exploration of the coast-line, 

 with the aid of the trawl and other apparatus, may lead to the discovery of banks on which these 

 excellent food fishes may be obtained of larger size and in remunerative quantities. Among other 

 forms hitherto known may be mentioned the Queensland flounder, Plcnronectes Mortoniensis, De V. ; 

 the Fitzroy sole, Synaptiira Fitzroycnsis, De. V. ; the black sole, S. nigra, Mel. ; the lemon sole, 

 Plagusin iiiiicolor, Mel. ; the tongue sole, P. iiotata, De. V. ; and the peacock sole, Pardachirus 

 pavoninus, Lacp. Another small species of sole, Solca hctcrorhina, Blk., has been obtained by the 

 author from Thursday Island, not previously recorded from Australian waters, but included in 

 the fish fauna of India. The single specimen obtained was of small size, not exceeding eight 

 inches in length, and was remarkable for its brilliant colour ; a light buff general ground was 

 ornamented with delicate black scribblings, while a narrow band of pale blue extended 

 throughout each fin-border. A delineation of this fish is given in Chromo plate XVI., 



Fig. 5- 



A Pleuronectid, new to Australia, and that attains to considerable dimensions, has been 

 very recently discovered by the author in the waters of Northern Queensland, two individuals 

 having been taken with the seine in the Endeavour River estuary. The species referred to has 

 been identified with an Indian form, Psettodcs crumei, Bl., and is illustrated by Plate XLVI., 

 Fig. 5. It most nearly resembles in its shape, dental armature, and predaceous habits, the halibut 

 or holibut of the North Atlantic. The specimen figured measured twenty inches in length ; and, 

 while struggling in the meshes of the seine net in vi^hich it was captured, seized and half gorged a 

 mullet nearly one foot long. The second specimen taken was found to be such excellent eating, 

 that it may possibly prove desirable, at some future date, to attempt the artificial propagation and 

 extended acclimatisation of the species. It represents the finest member of its tribe yet taken 

 in Australian waters ; and filling, as it does, the position occupied in the European seas by 

 the highly-esteemed turbot, brill, and holibut, it would undoubtedly command a high price 

 in the market. 



It is a well-known biological fact that all the flat fishes, or Pleuronectidae, commence 

 their existence as perfectly symmetrical fishes, with their eyes on opposite sides of the head 

 and their jaws perfectly symmetrical. In association with their habit of resting on one 

 side, their fins not being strong enough to support them verticalh', the eye on the under or 

 ground surface has a tendency to grow towards the light, and it pushes its way round to the 

 light-exposed side, carrying with it the surrounding framework of the skull. Thus it is 

 that our ordinary soles, turbot, and flounders are found to possess such an otherwise inexpli- 

 cably wry-faced physiognomy. The genus Psettodes, represented by the single known species 

 here figured, is of considerable scientific interest in this connection, since it more completely 



retains the bilaterally symmetrical character of ordinary fishes than any other known 



p p 



