GURNARDS OR GURNETS. 199 



It is a native of New South Wales, where, partly be- 

 cause of its habits, it is not often obtained. 



It is a short, thick-bodied Flathead. The scales are 

 rough and the head is covered with prominent ridges and 

 spines. The colours are very brilliant, being very similar 

 to those of the "Red Rock-Cod" and like that fish it has a 

 number of skinny tentacles growing upon its head. 



It grows to about 15 inches in length, but is not obtained 

 in sufficient numbers to be used as food. 



GURNARDS OR GURNETS. 



(Family: Triglidce.) 



THE Gurnards are well-known to most people, their well- 

 armed or well-armoured "bull-heads" or the beautiful 

 butterfly-like "wings" being familiar objects to most people. 

 In species they are fairly numerous, occurring in consider- 

 able numbers in most seas lying within the tropical and 

 temperate zones, and inhabiting water ranging from a few 

 feet down to moderate ocean depths. Many of the species 

 are possessed of the most magnificent colours while they 

 are alive and in their natural surroundings. They may be 

 observed to great advantage in an aquarium, where their 

 movements will be found to be most interesting. One of 

 their principal characteristics, noticed by all authors dealing 

 with these fishes, is the three curious finger-like pectoral 

 rays below each pectoral fin, from which they are quite free ; 

 acting in quite an independent manner. The ventral fins 

 are sometimes very large, but it is the pectorals w r hich 

 especially claim our attention; these being frequently ex- 

 ceedingly large, membranous and wing-like, and orna- 

 mented with the most brilliant and indescribably-beautiful 

 colours. Normally, these beautifully-coloured though 

 grotesque-looking fishes frequent the bottom, upon which 

 they crawl about, using their free pectoral rays which may 



