i 44 FISHES OF AUSTRALIA. 



partially so in the case of the Herring-Kale ; mentioned 

 later on. 



The Groper is found abundantly along the coast of New 

 South Wales, as well as that of Victoria and of Tasmania. 

 As a market fish it is not very common, not being very 

 highly esteemed, from an edible point of view; in large 

 specimens the head and shoulders only, being usually con- 

 sumed. Nevertheless, small examples up to 2 pounds in 

 weight are excellent fish for the table. 



The Groper may be captured by hook and line; a 

 common bait being the body of a crab, after the spot where 

 fishing is being carried on, having been well "berleyed" with 

 crabs' legs and other "delicacies." 



This species is a very ponderous-looking fish and it is 

 one of the largest of the Wrasses, growing to a length of 

 from 3 to 4 feet. 



The Maori, probably so-named on account of the 

 peculiar tattoo-like colour-markings on each side of the head, 

 is a common New South Wales rock-fish, being known to 

 occur also, in Victoria, South Australia and Western Aus- 

 tralia. To what extent it abounds in the three last-men- 

 tioned States is at present a matter of some doubt. It is 

 a much smaller species than the last-mentioned and of a 

 totally-different appearance ; possessing a more elongate, 

 compressed body attaining a length of about 16 inches. As 

 an edible fish it is of some value, and examples are to be 

 seen in the principal fish markets of New South Wales, 

 throughout the greater part of the year. It is easily cap- 

 tured by means of hook and line ; an animal bait, such as 

 shell-fish, crustaceans or fish being used. Young Maoris- 

 are captured in numbers on the small-boy's line, around* 

 weedy rocks in the lower parts of our inlets. The very 

 distinctive colours of this species, render it easily recog- 

 nisable. 



The general colours are: red above, yellowish below, 

 separated by a more or less conspicuous, pink, longitudinal 

 band, which is generally bordered above and below by pur- 

 plish bands. All the lower scales have a violet bar. To- 

 gether they form more or less regular vertical streaks. The 

 upper and lower surfaces of the head are an olive-green, 



