AYUSEFUL NET. TO9Q 
with Scorpena cruenta that we are more directly concerned 
here. This is a very common object in the fish markets of 
New South Wales, and, as its flesh is usually considered to be 
of very good quality, the fish always finds a ready sale. 
It is a large-eyed species, of somewhat fierce—or, perhaps 
I should say, grotesque—mien. Between the eyes is a deep 
groove, and scattered over the skin of the head and the 
rounded, robust body, are numerous short, skinny appendages. 
The head is heavily armed, and is covered with hard bony 
ridges and sharp spines. The grotesque shape of this fish, 
coupled with its beautiful protective coloration, are very 
effective aids to concealment when it is amongst rocks and 
weeds—its natural surroundings—and must assist it greatly 
also, in obtaining a large part of its food, which consists of 
small rock-frequenting organisms generally. 
As I mentioned in ‘“ Fishes of Australia,’’ the general 
color is a rich carmine—very bright towards the back, while 
the lower parts are a pearly-white. There is a broad trans- 
verse pink spot, which is narrowest in the middle, immediately 
at the back of the head on the occiput. The lower surface of 
the head is a pale red, marbled with yellow, with which color 
the lips are banded. On the sides are scattered many dark 
chocolate-colored spots, particularly over the lower portions. 
The Red Rock Cod is usually captured by means of hook 
and line, with a flesh bait. It may also be taken with that 
valuable net, the ‘‘ Trammel,’’ which, as I have _ before 
mentioned, is so little used here at present. 
It commonly grows to a length of 12 inches, though 
examples up to 18 inches in length are not infrequently 
obtained. 
Bynoe’s Rock Cod (Scorpana bynoensis). 
This is a smaller species than the common Red Rock 
Cod, to which it is closely allied. It is of little economic 
importance at present in New South Wales waters, as it is 
rarely obtained, and it does not appear to me probable that 
it will ever add largely to our food supply. 
