216 FISHES OF AUSTRALIA. 



session of these and of also such wide, open gill-openings, 

 would enable the veriest tyro to at once distinguish this fish 

 from any of the Eels; this is worthy of note, as there is 

 some tendency for the uninitiated to confuse it with the 

 latter. 



Fig. 75. AUSTRALIAN ROCKLING (Oenypterus Wacodes). 



This species is stated to be not uncommon in the Mel- 

 bourne market, being moderately good for table purposes. 



Thoiijgh the Australian Rockling cannot lay claim to 

 that gracefulness of form which is so apparent in many of 

 our other fishes, its colours are very attractive. The head 

 and body are of a rich purplish-brown above, with a deli- 

 cate lilac tint, stronger towards the posterior end, irregularly 

 marbled with confluent spots of dark vandyke-brown. The 

 cheeks and the upper part of the iris have a rich coppery- 

 red, bronze tint ; the lower part of the iris being silvery. The 

 lower part of the body and the belly, are yellowish-white, 

 without mottlings. The fins are also very nicely marked. 



Before dismissing this species, I might mention that in 

 New Zealand it is known as "Ling" and also as "Cloudy- 

 Bay Cod." It is quite common in Cook Strait and on other 

 parts of the New Zealand coast to the southward. There, 

 it is stated to attain as great a length as 5 feet with a 

 weight of 15 to 20 pounds. Large numbers are captured by 

 hook and line as the fish is very voracious, taking the bait 

 greedily. 



RIBBON-FISHES. 



( Family : Trackyptcridce. ) 



AT least two species of this very remarkable family inhabit 

 Australian waters. These are the Southern Ribbon-Fish 



