110 EDIBLE FISHES OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 



longest, not quite so long as the last dorsal spine : ventral pointed, not quite 

 reaching: to the vent, the second ray the longest, from l"90-2-10in the length 

 of the head : hind margin of pectoral pointed above, cuneiform in the middle, 

 and rounded below, the second and third rays the longest, reaching to the 

 tenth scale of the lat eral line, and from 12o-l'S',i in the length of the head : 

 caudal emarginate, the least height of the pedicle 2"25 in the height of the 

 body. Head naked, with the exception of the posterior half of the opercle, 

 a series of about ten small scales on the cheek behind, and below the 

 infero-posterior margin of the orbit, and a single large isolated scale on the 

 tem])oral region ; dorsal and anal tins with a low scaly sheath. Lateral line 

 s^cales profusely branched. 



Colors. — Brick red, the upper surfaces washed with olive green ; body 

 ornamented with more or less numerous round cream-colored spots : soft 

 dorsal and anal with a dark blue median longitudinal band, and a similar 

 marginal one, between which are a series of spots ; posterior half of caudal 

 and pectorals yellow, the latter with a dark blue basal band. 



This is bv far the least variable in coloration of all our Pseudolahri, the 

 only noticeable differences being in the greater or less depth of the olive 

 green tinting on the upper surface, the number of the spots, and the amount 

 of rose-color with which their whiteness is suffused. 



Xothing has hitherto been published regarding the breeding habits of the 

 members of this genus, notwithstanding their abundance on our coast, and 

 we are pleased, therefore, to be in a position to record the fact that this 

 species deposits its ova among weed-covered rocks about midwinter, that is, 

 the latter part of June and July. 



Opinions vary as to the merits of the Pseudolalri from an edible stand- 

 point, many people rejecting them, seemingly for no better reason than 

 that, as " Parrot-fishes," they have gained a bad name, while others go to 

 the opposite extreme, and are enthusiastic in their praise. The flesh is firm, 

 flaky, and coarse in the fibre, with a peculiar flavor, which may or may 

 not be appreciated, and which probablv constitutes the reason why it is held 

 in such different estimation. Described by Giinther from specimens labelled 

 " Australia," it was long known from the neighborhood of Port Jackson 

 alone ; it has, however, been recorded since by Klunzinger from King 

 Greorge's .Sound, the two districts being at present the only localities from 

 whence it is known. 



The White-spotted Parrotfish grows to a length of twelve inches, but is 

 rarely seen of that size, seven to nine inches being about the average. 



PSEUDOLABEUS NIGROMAEGINATUS. 



Lahrichthjs nigromarqinata, Macleay, Proc. Linn. Soc. N. S. Wales, iii, 

 p. 35, pi. iii. fig. 3, 1879. 



Crimson-banded Parrotfish. 



B. vi. D. 9/11. A. 3/10. \'. 1;5. P. 18. C. 13. L. lat. 25-27. L. tr. 3/8. Vert. 



9/lG. 



Length of head 3-50-3-80, of caudal fin 5-00-5-50, height of body 

 3'40-3'60 in the total length. Diameter of eye 500-5"75 in the length of 

 the head, 1"50-1'80 in that of the moderately pointed snout, and 1"00-1"33 

 in the convex interorbital space. ]S'o^trils small and slightly tubular, the 

 anterior with a low skinny flap behind, the posterior oval and horizontal. 

 Upper profile of head with a distinct concavity between the anterior margins 



