88 



The B ugler or Trumpeter . . Centrlscus scolopax, L. 



Another species, known as . Crepidogaster 1 asmaniensis, 



Giinth. 



They are of no value for food, and are very scarce. The 

 first named fish is also called " Bellows Fish," from its 

 singular resemblance to that instrument. The snout is pro- 

 duced into a long tube. 



Trachypterid^. The Rihhoii Fish Family. 



Two representatives of this remarkable family of fishes 

 exist in Tasmanian waters ; viz. : — 



The Ribbon Fish Regalecus gladius, Cuv. and 



Val. 

 Spotted ditto . Trachypterus altivelis. 



A specimen of the first named, R. gladiiis, was captured 

 on the shore near the Penguin about 3 years ago, which 

 measured 14 feet long. It was afterwards exhibited in 

 Launceston and Hobart as *' The Sea Serpent" — its mane- 

 like rays over the head, and its extraordinary length, giving 

 common favour to this idea. The Spotted Ribbon Fish 

 cauglit recently at Spring Bay, T. altiveUs, is a smaller 

 fish, but so extremely thin and transparent that it has been 

 preserved by laying it flat upon a paper surface, after the 

 manner of ordinary mounted seaweed. Dr. Giinther states 

 with respect to these singular fishes, that when they " reach 

 the surface of the water the expansion of the gases within 

 their body has so loosened all parts of their muscular and 

 bony system that they can be lifted out of the water with 

 difficulty only, and nearly always portions of the body and 

 fins are broken and lost." 



Gadid^. The Cod Family. 



This is a most important family of fishes as regards 

 market supply; although it only comprises two species in 

 these waters — 



Bull-kelp Cod Lotella Sn'anii, Johnston ; 



Rock Cod — Cape Cod .... Pxeudophycis hnrhatus, 



Giinth. ; 

 the individuals of one of these, P. harbatus, " Rock- 

 cod," exist in such wonderful abundance that they are 

 captured during a portion of the year in quantities far 

 exceeding the local demand. They are caught in moderate 

 numbers all the year round, although their season for a 

 variety known to fishermen as the Deei)-water, or Cape-cod, 

 is from May to September. It would appear that the latter 

 is simply the mature form of the *^ Rock-cod," which enters 

 the npper waters of estuaries in vast numbers during the 



