46 NEW SOUTH WALES 



are very good fishes in the fresh state, and equal to the cod or ling for salting, but 

 unfortunately they are rare. They are generally caught in deep water on the 

 schnapper grounds, and it is quite probable that they may be found more abundant 

 towards the southern limit of our sea-board than tliey are here, but our inquiries 

 have not been successful in eliciting information in that direction. Another species 

 of Chilodacti/lus, known among the craft as the "carp" is more of a rock-fish, 

 being frequently taken in the harbour in nets, but it seems to be only an occasional 

 visitor. The only species of Latris {L. ciliata) found on tliis coast is extremely 

 rare, and certainly not to be compared for a moment to its Tasmanian relative 

 Latr'iti hecateia, the "trumpeter." — R.R.C. 



The two genera thus referred to are thus described : — Cldlodactylus. 

 One dorsal fin, with from sixteen to nineteen spines ; anal fin of 

 moderate length, caudal forked. One of the simple pectoral rays more 

 or less prolonged, and projecting beyond the margin of the fin. Teeth 

 in villiform bands, no canines. Pre-operculum not serrated. Scales of 

 moderate size. Air-bladder with many lobes. 



Seventeen species are known, chiefly from the tempei'ate parts of the 

 South Pacific and the coasts of China and Japan. They belong to the 

 most valuable food fishes, as they grow to a considerable size, from 5 to 

 25 lbs., and arc easily caught in numbers. At the Cape of Good Hope 

 they are very abundant, and preserved in large quantities for export. 



The Morwong. 



(Plate X.) 



The Carp or Morwong (Cldlodactylus macropteo'us, Richardson) has 

 six simple pectoral rays, the vippermost very long ; dorsal fin notched, 

 the seventh spine longest, higher than the soft dorsal, and one-half the 

 length of the head. The second anal strong and longer than the third. 

 A blackish band from the origin of the dorsal to the base of the pectoral. 

 Length, 12 inches, rarely 18. 



Count Castelnau says that this fish is called " Bastard Trumpeter" by 

 the Melbourne fishermen (but the name is also applied to Latris fosteri) ; 

 and adds that the colour is silvery, with the upper parts and head of 

 a light purple ; a black spot behind the upper part of the operculum ; 

 branchiostegal membrane beautiful light blue ; dorsal, caudal, and anal 

 fins of rather dirty yellow, with the spines purple, ventrals white, 

 pectorals yellow, with white interior rays ; eye silvery, with a blue ring. 

 Some iridescent longitudinal streaks on the sides. In this Colony the 

 Morwonw is also called " Jackass-fish." 



The Red Morwong. 



(Plate XL) 



The red Morwong or Carp, C. fuscus, Castelnau (plate YIII), is of a 

 uniform reddish colour, and about the size of the last species. There are 

 six simple rays in the pectoral fins, the upper one not much longer than 

 the branched ones, the following very long, the others gradually shox'ter ; 

 dorsal scarcely notched, spiny portion seventeen spines, first rather 

 short, fourth longest, back gibbous, ridge on front edge of orbit, caudal 

 strongly emarginate, anal with three spines and nine rays ; the eye is 



