79 



the Carp, the Magpie Perch (C. gibhosus)y and the Real 

 Bastard Trumpeter ('3Iendosoma Allporti), are only taken 

 in limited numbers during certain seasons, upon the Perch 

 and Trumpeter ground. They are both good table fish, 

 however ; and it may yet be an important matter to study 

 their habits and movements more closely. It is known 

 that the Real Bastard runs in schools ; and large numbers 

 have at times been caught at the Schoutens and at Bicheno. 

 Mr. Barnett, who has great experience as a fisherman in 

 Tasmanian waters, states that they are only good for food 

 when full of roe. I was somewhat astonished, two or three 

 years ago, to find that this fish, which is not altogether an 

 uncommon one in our market, should have escaped the 

 notice of former classifiers. It was described by the writer 

 in the Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania, 1880, 

 pp. 54-56. The following are its general characters : — 



B. 6. D. 23:1*25. A. 3 18. V. 1-5. L. lat. 76. 

 L. tr. 5 : 16. 



The larger scales, greater number of dorsal spines, and 

 the small pointed head with protractile jaws, readilv 

 distinguishes it from the members of the Trumpeter group 

 proper. 



Triglid^e. 



This is also a somewhat important family of fishes In 

 Tasmanian waters, — consisting of eight genera and eleven 

 species. It includes the fish locally known as the Rock 

 Gurnets, the Flatheads, and the Butterfly, Kumu, and 

 Flying Gurnards. The Rock Gurnet (Sebastes j^ercoldes)^ 

 found more abundantly in the northern coasts, is held in 

 great esteem for the table, and is obtained in the vicinity of 

 George Town in considerable numbers. The various indi- 

 viduals are brilliantly coloured red and orange; and, like all 

 its family, are well armed with dangerous head bucklers and 

 sharp spines. The Common Flathead ( Platycephalus 

 bassensis, Cuv. and Val.), is, however, the most important 

 member of the family on our coasts. The Flatheads are 

 rather repulsive-looking fishes, with reptile-looking flattened 

 heads and bodies; and their sharp gill-cover spines make it 

 awkward for the inexperienced hand when they are 

 captured by hook. They are termed " bottom fish," — their 

 flattened under surface being well adapted for following 

 close the surface of the ground, like the common Flounder. 

 They may be considered the scavengei'S of our shallow 

 waters, for they are found everywhere around our coasts, 

 in estuaries and around wharves, all the year round. When 

 no other fish can be obtained the Flathead may always be 

 depended upon. They are good edible fish, and would be 



