THE NANNYGAI FAMILY. 87 



the lower surface. It attains a length of about 18 inches. 

 There is a small barbel on the chin of this fish. 



V 



Fig. .T2. HKAKDIK (Lotella callarias). 



The Beardie is usually captured by hook and line on 

 outside grounds, in the vicinity of rocky reefs and "bom- 

 boras," though it is also to be obtained in the lower parts 

 of our harbours. It is usually considered to be of fair 

 value as an edible fish. 



The Red - Cod is somewhat similar to the preceding, 

 but it attains a larger size, and, with the exception of the 

 lower parts, is of a uniform reddish or reddish-brown 

 tinge. Upon a close examination being made many other 

 differences between the two species are apparent. These 

 need not be mentioned here. 



This species is not common on the New South Wales 

 coast, though it is found along the southern portion. It 

 occurs more commonly on the coasts of Victoria and Tas- 

 mania and also New Zealand, where it is esteemed as food. 



THE NANNYGAI FAMILY. 



( Family : Berycidce. ) 



THE only representative of economic importance in our 

 waters, of this very interesting family, is that beautiful- 

 looking and familiar fish known as the Nanny gai (Beryx 

 af finis). In colour, this lovely fish is of a most brilliant, 

 uniform golden-red, "shot" with violet : and this, taken 



