106 THE EDIBLE FISHES OF NEW SOUDH WALES. 
It attains a length of about 11 inches, and may be con- 
sidered as likely to be of some use as an adjunct to our food- 
supply in the near future. 
The eyes of this fish are on the right side. 
In color the Narrow-banded Sole is of a light brown, 
crossed by narrow dark-brown irregular bands, about as wide 
as the interspaces, extending on to the fins. Some of the 
bands are forked. 
Peacock Sole (Achirus pavoninus). 
This beautifully ornamented species is not of present 
economic importance. It appears to be purely an estuarine 
fish, affecting sandy bottoms, and occurring in the waters 
along the greater part of our coastline. It is rarely seen in 
our markets, and is not often captured. A length of about 
7 inches is commonly attained. This flat-fish is closely allied 
to the American ‘“‘ Hog-choker.”’ The eyes are on the right 
side. 
Black Sole (Synaptura nigra). 
Puate LXXIII. 
Of all the New South Wales flat-fishes the Black Sole is 
at present the most important. It is plentifully distributed 
along our shores, being most abundant in the comparatively 
shallow waters of our estuaries and coastal lakes, where it 
seeks the muddy bottoms. Though always to be seen in the 
fish markets, where it finds a ready sale at a high price, it 
is captured in its greatest abundance during the warmer 
months of summer, which is its spawning period. It is fairly 
thick, for a sole, and attains a length of about 14 inches, 
with a weight of about 2 pounds, that being the size of the 
largest seen by me. The average size. of those marketed, 
however, would be about 9 to Io inches. 
In the capture of the Black Sole, the spear and the 
hauling-net are commonly used. However, if the soles are 
known to be congregated together in large numbers, the 
trammel-net may be used with great execution. 
In shape, the outline of the Black Sole is of a fairly 
regular oval. The scales are very highly ctenoid, and make 
