PISH AND FISHERIES. 39 



The Black-fish. 



(Plate YII.) 



The first division includes our Black-fish Girella tricuspidata. This 

 genus has scaly cheeks but naked opercles. Dorsal spines received into 

 a rather indistinct groove. Scales moderate. Six branchiostegals. 

 Pyloric appendages numerous, air-bladder divided into two posterior 

 horns. We have two species in Port Jackson, G. tricuspidata and 

 G. simplex, the main distinction between which is that one has tricuspid 

 incisor teeth and the other has smooth cutting edges with a short 

 series of teeth on the front of the palatine bones. But intermediate 

 forms are found. The black-fish in the market is usually G. tricuspidata, 

 but it is quite as common to see G. simp)lex sold as black-fish. In certain 

 seasons they may be caught in abundance in shallow water with the 

 line, the only bait being a green confervoid weed obtained on wood 

 under sea-water. A figure of G. tricuspidata, Richardson, is given at 

 Plate IV. 



Another poor table fish of this genus is called the "Drummer." It is 

 G. elevata, of Macleay. The colour is a uniform brown and the scales 

 are larger. The tricuspid teeth have the middle cusp large and rounded 

 with a few conical teeth on the intermaxillary bone behind. Tail large 

 and the pectoral fins about as large as the head. It is a poor table fish 

 and is caught rarely. Besides the above there are four other species, 

 one of which is a deep blue colour, G. cyanea, Macleay. Of the second 

 group, distinguished by the undivided pectoral rays, we have two species, 

 Haplodactylus loplwdon, Giinth. (brown, with a black spot behind, and 

 caudal and anal fins variegated with lighter colour), and H. ohscurus, 

 Castelnau, a rare fish of nearly black colour. 



The fourth group includes all our Schnappers and Breams, and from 

 their interset and utility will require a lengthened notice. 



The genus Pagrus or as we term it in the vernacular " Schnapper," a 

 word of Dutch origin, is distinquished by an oblong compressed body, 

 with scales of moderate size. Several pairs of strong canine-like teeth in 

 both jaws : molars arranged in two series. Cheeks with scales. The 

 spines of the dorsal fin eleven or twelve in number, though sometimes 

 elongate, and can be received in a groove, anal spines three. 



Thirteen species of this genus ai-e known, chiefly distributed in 

 the northern parts of the temperate zone, and more scantily represented 

 in the tropics. Several species occur in the Mediterranean and the 

 neighbouring parts of the Atlantic. One (P. argyrops) is well known 

 on the coasts of the United States under the names of "Scup," "Porgy," 

 or " Mishcup." It is one of the most important of food fishes, gi^owing 

 to a length of 1 8 inches and a weight of 4 lbs. 



The Schnapper, or Snapper. 



(Plate VIII.) 



The schnapper (Pagrus unkolor, Cuv. & Val.) is the most valuable of Australian 

 fishes, — not for its superior excellence, for we have many more delicious, but for 

 the abundant and regular supply which it affords of a very nutritious and whole- 

 some description of food. It is found on all parts of the Australian coast, but 

 most abundantly on that of New South Wales. It is a deep-water fish, found 



