FOOD AND FANCY FISHES. 305 



to several allied species had been previously found in the triassic and Jurassic strata of Europe, 

 India, and America; and an allied genus, Gosfordia, has been, within the last three years, 

 recorded from the Upper Triassic beds of New South Wales. Full details concerning the life- 

 history and development of Ceratodus are still much needed. As so far observed, it appears to be 

 essentially herbivorous. An illustration of this very remarkable fish is given on page 67, in 

 association with Ostcoglossum Jardinei, as a tail-piece to Chapter I. 



Although not popularly classified among the ordinary food-fishes, it is worthy of mention that 

 many of the species of leather jackets, genus Monacanthus, which abound in the Queensland and 

 other Australian seas, are in many instances most excellent eating, their flesh when cooked — the 

 skin being previously removed — having been compared to that of the sole and flounder. A some- 

 what remarkable species of this genus Monacanthus, in which a skinny, pouch-like, protuberance 

 is developed from the ventral region, combined with an abnormal growth of the uppermost ray of 

 the caudal fin, is illustrated by Plate XLVIIL, Fig. i. The specimen delineated was taken in 

 Moreton Bay, but occurs farther north. 



The shark tribe, included within the Order of the Chondropterygii, all the members of 

 which possess cartilaginous skeletons (in distinction from the true bone or lime-impregnated ones 

 of the ordinary fishes or Teleostei), does not contribute extensively to the stalls of the fish market. 

 Various species of skate, however, which are merely flattened-out sharks, are highly esteemed 

 in Europe for their esculent properties ; and there are many allied forms in Australian waters that 

 are equally eligible for the table, though hitherto but little utilised. Among the Queensland 

 species, attention may be more particularly directed to the shovel-nosed skate, Rliiuobatus granu- 

 latits, Cuv., illustrated by Plate XLVllL, Fig. 4, which, on the authority of gastronomic experts, 

 is considered equal, if not superior, to any of the most favoured British species. The fish, being 

 plentiful from Torres Strait to Moreton Bay, and growing to a length of six or seven feet, with 

 an associated weight of upwards of 100 lb., represents an increment of wholesome food that 

 would not be suffered to run to waste within reach of any large European centre of population. 

 Another allied form, Rhyncliobatus aucylostoniits, which is less commonly seen in Queensland 

 waters, grows to a corresponding size and weight. In Indian waters it is known as the 

 mud-skate, and according to Dr. Day ("Fishes of India"), it is much esteemed for food, 

 flesh being considered highly nutritious, in either a fresh or salted condition. 



The sub-class of the Cyclostomata, including the suctorial-mouthed lampreys and allied 

 types, is represented by no known form in Queensland waters ; though several species, including 

 the singular-pouched lamprey, Geotria, are indigenous to Tasmania, Victoria, and other of the 

 southern Australian colonies. 



A brief reference may be made, in conclusion, to a few supplemental forms not falling within 

 the category of food fishes, delineated in the accompanying photographic and coloured illustra- 

 tions, which are incorporated on account of their singularity of contour, remarkable colours, 



Q Q 



