224 ^^^^^ SOUTH WALES. 



large numbers, both by net and book, affording' with tbe latter good 

 sport to tbe amateur fisberman. Tbe Tarwbine is more distinctly a 

 nortbcvn fisb tban its congener, differs but little from it in its babits, 

 and migbt be utilised in tbe same way. 



To tbe Kypliosidx belong several edible species, sucb as tbe Sweep, 

 Cxsiosoma xqidpinnis, tbe Drummer, Pimelepteriis sydneyanus, tbe 

 Blackfisb, Girella tricuspidata , tbe Ludrick, G. simplex, and tbe Blue- 

 fisb, G. cyanea. Tbe Blackfisb is abundant in tbe metropolitan 

 markets at all seasons, and wben perfectly fresb is a good pan fisb, as it 

 is also wben smoked. Tbe Sweep, Drummer, and Ludrick occur in 

 moderate numbers during tbe year, but tbe Bluefisb is scarce Avitb us ; 

 tbis is mainly to be accounted for by its preference for tbe open sea ; 

 tbus we find it very abundant at Lord Howe Island, wbere neitber of 

 tbe otber species is found, and wbere it is a staple article of food among 

 tbe inbabitants, oitber salted, smoked, or fresb ; from tbence and from 

 Elizabetb Eeef it could be brougbt in any quantity required and 

 transhipped to otber countries. 



A small but well flavored fisb, wbicb inbabits our inlets and swims 

 in large slioals, is tbe Silver-belly, Xysta'ma ovatum (Gerridx). It 

 grows to a length of about eight inches, and would no doubt be 

 delicious preserved like sardines. 



Among the Gropers and Parrot-fishes {Lahrida') we find several 

 species, which have a great reputation for tbe table, and are always 

 readily saleable, but they are never caught in such quantities as to be 

 of economic importance ; among them may be mentioned the Blue- 

 spotted Groper, Chcerojos ommopterus, a fine firm-fleshed fish, attaining 

 to a length of two feet and upwards, and common in our northern 

 districts; the Blue and Eed Gropers, ^c/io^rof??/.? gouldi and hadiiis, 

 the former of which is abundant in all suitable -localities, and is highly 

 esteemed, the bead and shoulders being considered an especial delicacy; 

 and the Pigfishes, Lepidaplois oonjcepliulus and hellis. 



A very important family in our seas is that of the Scisenidse, though 

 but two marketable fishes belong to it; these are the Jewfish, Scixna 

 liololepndota, and tbe Teraglin, Atractoscion atelodus. The former is 

 very common along tbe coast of New South Wales, from north to 

 south. The Jewfish grows to the length of five feet, but for the table 

 the half-grown examples of two feet and under are jji-ef erable ; at tbis 

 stage they are sold as " Silver Jews,'^ and roam along the coast in large 

 shoals, entering the various harbors and inlets, and tbus coming within 

 tbe scope of the seine fishermen to whom they prove a valuable harvest, 

 as they are always readily saleable at fair prices. 



The Teraglin is a much better fish for the table tban even the Silver 

 Jew, but is not obtainable at all seasons as is its relative, nor does it 

 grow to so large a size. The air vessels of all the members of this 

 family are of very large size, and as the best quality of isinglass is 

 manufactured from them it would be necessary when our factories 

 shall have been established, to devote some time and space to the 

 collection and preparation of this product. 



The Cottidm hold a place in our list by virture of the Flatheads 

 {Platyrephalus) , five species of which occur in the Sydney markets. 

 By far the most abundant of these is the Common Flathead, P.fnscus, 

 which may fairly be reckoned among our best food fishes. 



