58 



piv'ssui-e. It is a grouiul fish, aud attains a size of 2 or '^ feet, when it is a liorrilile-loukiug- fellow. 

 It belongs to the family of " Star-gazers,"' so called from the peculiar position of tlie eyes, which 

 are always turaeil upwards. It is seldom eaten, owing, doubtless, to its rejmlsive a]ipe:iraiu-e, but 

 in flavour the flesh resembles that of the Flathead. 



THE COW FISH. 



( Oiitrarion or/uif/ts.) 



Tlie illustration represents tin- fennile ; the male 

 being very similar in shape, but very difterent in 

 colouration. Instead of tlie liglit-coloured bands 

 being covered with beautiful ii'idescent spots, 

 slKjwing all the colonrs of tiie rainbow, and 

 being sometimes called the " Peacock Fish." It 

 does not exist in numbers in all parts of the coast, 

 the only 2>lace where the sjiecimens for the 

 A(|uarium can be olitained being from Western Port. It is very hardy, feeding well, and living for 

 a long time in ca])tivity. It derives its common name from the two horny excrescences growing on 

 the top of the head. The male, with age, acquires a pronounced Roman nose. The whole of the 

 body is merely a hard carapace, with the excejitiou of the space occupied by the intestines. 



THE PORCUPINE. 



( ]>)0(/0ll ///.sf /■/.>■.) 



This common species is well known to all 

 their seine nets oa the beach. Tiie minute it is 

 landed on the sand it inflates itself like a bladder, 

 the sj)ine>i sticking out in all directions, at tiie 

 same time grinding the teeth as if in a dreadful 

 rage. 



The teeth are really bony jaws with iiniuensc 

 strength, and evidently used for detaching its 

 f lod, which consists of shell-flsh, &r., from the 

 rocks. It is also jieculiar in having vcit flexible 

 eye muscles, being able to roll its eyes abont in a 

 manner very uncommon amongst members of the 

 flimy tribe. The Hev. Teuison "Wood states that 

 he has seen the blacks devoiu- the liv-er of this 

 fish with gi'cat gusto. However this may be. the 

 rest of the fish is poisonous. 



who have ever watched the fishermen 





