108 EDIBLE FISHES OP NEW SOUTH WALES. 



over. They are sluggish fishes and do not give mncli sport ; tlie very large 

 ones, of three to four (?) feet in length, ^^hicdl are at times caught with the 

 line, have pretty good strength but are soon exhausted. The flesh is good, 

 white, firm, and flaky, and is preferable when boiled." The same author 

 also warns anglers against the " great pain and inflammation consequent on 

 a wound inflicted by the preopercular spines, with which they strike viciously, 

 and which they can erect to a certain degree at will, when stirred by anger 

 or fear." 



How far to the northward the species is found it is difficult to say. but we 

 have seen specimens from Maryborough, while Saville Kent, alluding pre- 

 sumably to the Brisbane Market, writes that_ Elatheads " yield a substantial 

 contribution to the general fish supply. The most abundant and familiar 

 type is the Common Flathead, .Flatyceplialus fuscus.'" From Port Phillip 

 Lucas records this species as the " Grass Flathead," while Castelnau, 

 states that it is found on a weedy bottom ; a conclusion which does not tally 

 with our experience in this Colony, but which would seemingly be more 

 applicable to the Eock Flathead, P. Icevigafus. 



If we are correct in our suggestion that (xiinther's P. cinereus is the same 

 fish as this of which w^e are now treating, and the differences between his 

 description and ours are trifling, the range of this species would be extended 

 in a westerly direction at least to South Australia, while the anomaly of its 

 absence from Tasmaniau waters, where Johnston gives it as " not uncommon, 

 but rarely brought to market," would disappear. 



This species attains a length of forty inches, but the majority of examples 

 sent to market are little more than half that size. 



Genus II.— TRIGLA. 



Trigla, Artedi, Gen. Pise. p. 42, 1738 ; Cuvier, Regne Anim. ; Cuv. & Val. 



Hist. Nat. Poiss. iv. p. 9. 

 Lepidotrigla, Giinther, Catal. Fish ii. p. 196, 18G0. 



Branchiostegals seven : pseudobranchife present. Head parallelopiped, 

 with its upper surface and sides bony, the large infraorbital covering the 

 cheek. Yilliform teeth in the jaws and normally on the vomer : palate 

 edentulous. Tw'o dorsal fins, the first being of less extent than the second : 

 three free pectoral filaments. Airbladder w'ell developed, usually provided 

 with lateral muscles, and sometimes partially divided internally. Pyloric 

 appendages in small numbers. 



Geogvapldcal distribution. — Coasts of Australia, Tasmania, and New 

 Zealand. Beyond these limits Day gives its distribution as follows : — " Coasts 

 of Europe, being especially abundant in the Mediterranean. One species 

 extending across the North Atlantic is found on the eastern shores of 

 North America. To the south it passes round the w^est coast of Africa, and 

 from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean, apparently avoiding the east coast 

 of Africa, the shores of India, and the contiguous islands." 



One of the most noticeable characteristics of Trigia is the presence of 

 three free pectoral filaments, which are employed as organs of touch and 

 locomotion, and it is most interesting to watch these fishes balancing them- 

 selves by means of their expanded pectoral fins, slowly draw themselves 

 forward by these filaments, and at the same time carefully testing every 

 particle of the ground over which they are passing in order to detect their 

 concealed prey. For the adequate execution of such complex functions 

 it is manifest that these filaments must be supplied with specially 



