5y 



THE TOAD FISH 



( Tetrodon hispid us) 



Is commonly caught all aloug the coast, 

 amongst the rocky or stony grounds. Its 

 food is principally shell-tisli, and, like the 

 Porcupine Fish, it is furnished with strong- 

 teeth for the purpose of crushing shells, &c. 

 It has the unfortunate capability of dis- 

 tendiug itself iuto a round hall or Ijladder 

 when landed on sliorc, and so becomes the 

 sport of cruel boys, who wait until it is 

 fully distended, and then jump on it to hear it go " pop."' The skin is covered with minute 

 asperities, and the colour is dark-green, mottled with black on the upper parts, the belly 

 white. 



spiny 

 being . 



THE TOAD FISH. 



( Tetrodon Hamiltoni.) 



This is one of the commonest fishes in Hobsou's Bay. At certain seasons it can be seen 

 in thousands along the beach between Sandridge and Picnic Point. The upper part of the 



body is of a velvety appearance, 

 mottled with black and white spots ; 

 the belly is of a pinky-white colour. 

 Its commou name amongst the 

 fishermen is the "publican," owing 

 doubtless to its rotund and rubicund 

 appearance. It is decidedly poison- 

 ous, and several cases are kuown 

 wliere cliildren have' died from eat- 

 ing it by mistake. 



THE PIG FISH. 



( (Ji'stracion Heterodontns. ) 



This fish is oviparous. Tlie egg, of which an illustration is here 

 given, is pyriform, with a ridge twisted around it, and 4 inclies in 

 Icngtli. 



The Pig Fish is faniiUar to most persons who have wauderci 

 along the shores of Port Pliillip. It is mostly noctm-nal in il> 



PIG FISH EGG. 



habits, and lives on all kinds of shell-fish. Its jaws are covered with laminated plates of great 

 hardness, which are specially adapted for crushing up mussels and other shell-fish. Mr. Saville 



