UNCOUTH, BUT EDIBLE: EEF 
THE AUSTRALIAN ROCKLING. 
Australian Rockling (Genypterus blacodes). 
Prate LXXXI. 
This eel-shaped fish is rarely taken on the coast of New 
South Wales. It is a southern species, occurring more plenti- 
fully in the waters of Victoria, and growing to a length of 
over 3 feet. As in the other members of this family of fishes, 
there are no true ventral fins, these being replaced by a pair 
of bifid filaments or barbels, which are placed beneath the 
lower jaw. In this connection, I may mention that in an 
example of the Australian Rockling which I received some 
time ago and which was captured at Ulladulla, N.S.W., the 
barbels were conspicuous by their absence, their loss having, 
apparently, been brought about by some accident, as there 
is a very pronounced contusion in the vicinity of, and a 
little behind the position in which they should naturally be.* 
THE LEATHERJACKETS. © 
Yellow Leatherjacket (Monacanthus ayraud?). 
Of the many species of Leatherjacket inhabiting the coastal 
waters of New South Wales, this is one of the most abundant. 
Always to be captured in greater or lesser numbers, at fairly 
frequent intervals vast shoals make their appearance. While 
undoubtedly a veritable pest to line fishermen, its good 
quality as an edible fish is rapidly bringing it to the fore, and 
I feel sure that the time is not far distant when it will be in 
very great demand as an article of food, and when it will be 
looked upon as one of our important food-fishes. Even: at 
the present time quite a considerable quantity is consumed 
annually, and boiled or fried leatherjacket is a common item 
on the “bill of fare,’ whereas only a few years ago most 
* | have previously drawn attention to this: vide my “ Additions to the Fish- 
Fauna of New South Wales” (No. I), 1907, p. 25. 
