*“FOR WAYS THAT ARE DARK.” pcoge 
FLATHEADS. 
Dusky Flathead (Platycephalus fuscus). 
Prate LXXVII. 
Somewhat repulsive in appearance, the Flatheads, 
generally, must undoubtedly claim a highly important place 
among the food-fishes of the States of the Commonwealth of 
Australia in general, and of New South Wales in particular. 
As far as New South Wales is concerned, that which is of the 
greatest value at present is the Dusky or Common Flathead, 
being, as it is, one of the principal market fishes. A quantity of 
about 525,000 pounds weight (or 7,000 baskets) is brought 
to market annually, and in addition a very considerable 
quantity is captured by anglers using hendlines. 
As an edible fish, it is of very good quality, the flesh 
being white, firm, and flaky, though just a little dry. 
This Flathead is a fish of the estuaries, and it is plenti- 
fully distributed along the whole of the New South Wales 
coastline, being found most abundantly in water of from 
3 or 4 fathoms in depth up to a few inches at low tide, and 
on bottoms which are composed wholly, or in part, of mud. 
(I have described the habits of this species in “ Fishes of 
Australia,’ page 197). 
In color it varies according to situation, from a dark- 
brown or blackish with cross-bands of black in muddy 
localities, to a light sandy-grey with somewhat darker bands 
in sandy places. 
The Dusky Flathead attains a large size, specimens of 
a length of 4 feet being not unknown; those of a length of 
from 2 to 2$ feet, however, are considered large, while the 
average of those marketed would be much less. 
Being of a highly carnivorous nature, nothing comes 
amiss to this hungry fish, even the young of its own species 
being occasionally taken. 
