35 



the reefs and rocky parts of the harbours. MurtBuesox 

 cinerea is the largest, attaining a length of 6 feet ; it is 

 found in tidal rivers, both in fresh and salt water. Anguilla 

 australis also grows to a great size, seldom reaches 5 feet 

 in length, but is often 10 inches in circumference ; it is a 

 most delicious fish, and abounds in all the rivers, pools, and 

 lagoons on the eastern watershed. Other species, as 

 Myrophris ajis trails and M?irce7ia ncbulosa, are sometimes 

 taken. Eels are highly esteemed in other countries, and 

 when our waters are properly fished they will supply 

 largely a valuable article of food. 



SCLERODERML 



The " leather jackets," Monacantlms, are the only mem- 

 bers of this family used as food, and against these even 

 there was an undue prejudice, which is gradually dying 

 out. Monacanthus ayrandll M. hlppocrepls M. granulosus, 

 Richardson, are really good table-fish, but they all require 

 skinning before being cooked ; the young of all three 

 species are very plentiful, and not being a marketable fish 

 are looked upon as the reverse of useful by the fishermen. 

 The adults of Monacantlms ayraitdli are a serious draw- 

 back to line-fishers, especially when engaged in Schnapper- 

 fishing, cutting the lines near the surface of the water. As 

 our Report remarks, " unless some means can be found of 

 getting rid of this pest, Schnapper-fishing will have to be 

 conducted with wire lines." 



CHONDROPTERYGII. 



Sharks and Rays. 

 Although the waters of Port Jackson and our coasts 

 abound with these scavengers, but little use is made of 

 them ; they are seldom sought for, and when occasionally 



