66 NEW SOUTH WALES 



the lower parts are white ; on each side of the body is a ratlier hroad 

 longitudinal band ; tlie fins are transparent ; and the rays spotted A\'ith 

 orange ; outer portions of caudal and dorsal dull, eye silvery. 



Of the whiting, says Mr. Hill, "few will be found to dispute the fact 

 that this fish ranks among the tip-top of the few choice and delicate 

 fishes of this country ; its very appearance indicates all that is good — 

 beautifully clean, almost transparent, rigid and firm, and its flesh is as 

 spotless as the driven snow ; the fine delicacy of its flavour is nicely 

 perceptilile, and which renders it so valuable as an aliment to the invalid. 

 The medical faculty, in recommending a fish diet to the patient for a 

 change, generally prefer the whiting, for its delicacy, ease of digestion, 

 and nutritive qualities. 



" Fried or boiled whiting, served with suitable sauce as an adjunct to 

 its flavour, is a charming dish for the more robust lovers of fish, and one 

 which leaves not on the palate any coarse fishy redolency. 



"The whiting commands the highest price generally, and is selected in 

 preference by those who can afibrd the means of purchase. They are 

 caught by net chiefly for the market, and the months of July, August, 

 and September present the best harvest to the fishermen, at which time 

 they go up the rivers in shoals of moderate size, and may be seen sport- 

 ing on clear sandy beaches or in the deep channels of the estuaries, 

 flashing their silvery sides to the light and making their presence known 

 by the glistening which is thus occasioned. They are at this time in 

 fine condition, and the cold season of the year offers an additional 

 advantage to their own good keeping qualities. 



"The whiting may be caught with hook and line off" sandy beaches or 

 sand-spits, and in open sandy bays on the coast in smooth water. The 

 best bait is live earthworms, although they will also take fish bait, but 

 not so readily ; rareley however is the adult whiting caught by hook and 

 line ; the medium size is the rule, except on the opeia sea beaches, then 

 some of the very large ones are taken by this means. The very young 

 whiting, from 3 to 4 inches long, in the beginning of the year, and at 

 early morning flood tide will readily take a worm bait. These, nicely 

 cleaned, and fried crisp and brown, ai-e not easily to be beaten, and would 

 fairly vie with the famous whitebait of England. 



" There is also another fish called rock whiting,* from the size and 

 resemblance in shape to the whiting just described. They are frequently 

 caught in the net, and are coloured with a greenish brown tinge and a 

 few markings, but like many rock fishes are soft and ill-flavoured ; if 

 fried very fresh they are something better. A deal further south they 

 are of firmer material, and hold a higher place in the estimation of fish 

 connoisseurs." 



Kathetosma la've belongs to this family, and is known as the stone 

 lifter in Melbourne. 



Passing over a number of families which are of no importance to 

 Australian fisheries, we come to that named Cottid.e, which includes two 

 genera of common Australian fishes. Platycephalus or Flatheads, and 

 Trigla or Gurnards. The name Trigla has been already spoken of as 



* This is Odax ricliardsonU, one of the Wrasses. 



