I04 THE EDIBLE FISHES OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 
vicinity of sandy sea-beaches in shallow water, but as they 
become older they make their way into the estuaries, in 
which the adults are usually found on muddy or sandy 
bottoms. The color varies considerably according to the 
situation in which the fish is found, those in sandy localities 
being much lighter than those on muddy bottoms. The 
range is from a deep black to a very light brown or fawn 
color, dusted:over with darker. The very young are, almost 
without exception, of the lighter color. The eyes are on the 
right side. 
The Long-snouted Flounder grows commonly to a length 
of about 10 inches, and exceptionally to about 12 inches. 
Southern Fiounder* (Rhombosolea flesovdes). 
This is, as the vernacular name implies, a southern species, 
most abundant on the coasts of Tasmania and Victoria, where 
it is extensively used as food. It occurs also on the southern 
portion of the New South Wales coast, but is not at present 
of sufficient importance in these waters to be recognised as a 
commercial fish. 
The Southern Flounder grows to a length of about 12 or 
13 inches. The eyes are on the right side. 
Crested Flounder (Lophonectes gallus). 
A small species, which is extremely abundant in moder- 
ately deep water at sea. It was first taken by the great 
“ Challenger ”’ expedition, and a little later (1882) one example 
was taken in the waters of Port Jackson in a large Otter 
Trawl, which was then being tried for the first time. At this 
trial Sir William Macleay was present, and it is worth 
mentioning that in the one short drag of the net no less than 
seven species of Flounders and Soles were taken. In 1898, 
and during the trawling cruise of the “‘ Thetis,’”’ this species 
was found to be particularly abundant off the New South 
Wales coast, in depths ranging from 10 to 84 fathoms. 
Specimens captured ranged up to 7% inches in length. 
* In my “ Fishes of Australia,”’ the name Southern Flounder is applied to 
the species known as Rhombosolea monopus. Though this species does, apparently, 
occur in the waters there indicated, the species flesordes is the most abundant form. 
