27 



across a sandy spit as the tide is falling, out usually with 

 the hook and line, small prawns or shrimps being the baits 

 used. The soles {^Synaptiira nigra) do not take the bait ; 

 and although a few may occasionally be taken in the seine, 

 the usual mode is by spearing them. On a clear calm 

 morning the fisherman allows his boat to drift with the 

 tide, or poles it along with his spear over the shallow 

 sandy flats on which these fish abound or frequent to 

 spawn. A practised eye will soon discern the shape or 

 outline of the fish covered in the sand, with usually only 

 its eyes exposed. When disturbed, and as it settles down 

 again in the sand, a slight cloud is thrown up, which indi- 

 cates its whereabouts. The fish is easily speared, and 

 several dozen may be obtained in two or three hours or 

 less time. 



Recently, by trawling, many individuals, both of floun- 

 ders, soles, and other flat-fish have been obtained. The 

 colours of these fish vary in accordance with the colour of 

 the ground they frequent ; some are of a light olive or 

 ashy brown from a sandy bottom ; others of a jet-black 

 colour when taken off" the mud. 



SlLURID^. 



In Australia many species of this family abound, the 

 most common being Cnidoglanis megastoma, found on all 

 the muddy flats in the harbours in the neighbourhood of 

 Port Jackson. It is generally brought up in the trawl, but 

 approaches the shore more often at night, when it is fre- 

 quently taken in the seine. It is seldom brought to 

 market, Europeans having an undue prejudice against 

 eating it. 



Another species, Copidoglanis taudanus, is plentiful in 



