13 



ClRRHITID^. 



One of the most important families, supplying a large 

 amount of valuable and delicious food. Among the best 

 are the trumpeters [Latris), of which there are several 

 species, chiefly frequenting our southern coasts. The 

 hobart trumpeter {L. Jiecateia) is one obtained in large 

 quantities, and in a smoked and dried state forms an 

 article of export from Tasmania to the other colonies. 

 ■ Latris hecateia is not often found on the New South Wales 

 coast, but L. forsteri occasionally finds its way into the 

 market, and is considered a delicacy. The Morwongs — 

 Chilodactylus macroptenis, C. inorwojig {sp. no v.), and C. 

 fusciis — are more plentiful, and find a ready sale. C. vitta- 

 tus is occasionally taken in the seine, but is considered 

 rare ; it seldom attains a foot in length, and, like C. fiisais, 

 is a handsomely marked fish. Some interesting and valu- 

 able information on these fishes will be found in the 

 Report of the Royal Commission on Tasmanian Fishes, 

 1883. 



TRIGLIDiE AND COTTINA. 



" The Australian species which can be classed as edible are the 

 ' Red Rock-Cod,' four species ; the ' Flatheads,' four species ; and 

 the ' Flying Gurnets,' three species. The ' Red Rock-Cod ' — 

 Scbastcs pcrcoidcs and Scarpa; na cardi/ialis, crucnta, and bynocnsis— 

 are rock- and ground-fish, and readily take the hook." " The 

 ' Flatheads ' of the coast are Platyaphalus fusctis, levigatus, bas- 

 scnsis, and cirronasus : of these the first, P. fuscus, is the Flathead 

 best known and most common in Port Jackson. All the species 

 are of excellent quality, and may be ranked among the best of 

 our fishes. Like the Red Rock-Cod, the Flathead is a ground- 

 fish, but is found on a sandy bottom only, and generally at only 

 a moderate depth. It is taken both by the hook and net. But 

 little information is obtainable about the history of the Flathead ; 



