THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 115 



to this species. The poisonous propensities are not yet clearly 

 understood, because under certain conditions, if all here to-night 

 were to enjoy a fish supper of salmon or salmon trout, which is 

 quite fresh — in fact not an hour out of the water — yet half of us 

 might be most seriously indisposed, while the other half would 

 suffer no inconvenience whatever. 



iVt a retail stand I purchase a small specimen of the familiar 

 elongated blue-coated barracouta {Thersites atun), for one shilling. 

 It weighs when cleaned an ounce or two over 2 lbs. It is from a 

 large basket, containing about 70 lbs. weight or 27 of these fish, 

 and fetches 13s. wholesale ; therefore the retailer nets about 100 

 per cent, profit. Bass's Straits is the habitat of the fish, where it is 

 easily secured by the hook, baited with a bit of red cloth. It is a 

 most predaceous fish, demolishing even its own brethren. 



Another cheap fish is the rock cod {Fseudophysis barbatus), 

 with heavy head and very thin scales. They are caught in the 

 Bay by hook and set nets. A limited number of the 35-lb. 

 baskets realized 5s. and 7s. 6d. each. 



A large parrot fish, or red gurnet, here and there, with brilliant 

 variegated colours, brightens up a basket full of more sombre- 

 coloured fishes. The gurnet is not unfrequently taken in the 

 seine off Queenscliff. 



I close my observations of thirty or more different fish with a 

 glance at the sprightly and plentiful skipjack, the quaint-looking 

 so-called " mountain trout " of fresher water, and last, but not 

 least, some fine large samples of the " silver bream " of the fisher- 

 men. 



After some 500 baskets of the various fish mentioned have 

 been sold, game, both furred and feathered, follows, and by a 

 quarter past 7 o'clock sales are concluded, and the 60 or 70 fish- 

 mongers' carts and trucks that formed a great right angle about 

 the market building have dispersed to the different suburbs. 



A little profitable discussion might now ensue as to the reason 

 why fish — the most wholesome and nutritious of all food — is so 

 scarce and expensive in our market, although so plentiful during 

 both summer and winter ofl" our coast, where it can literally be 

 had for the taking. In the first place, it is popularly supposed 

 there is a " ring " which keeps prices of fish high to suit its own 

 ends. Anyone who endeavours properly to discover this " ring " 

 will find it a myth. The only semblance of a " ring " is perhaps 

 one or two principal dealers, who, when limited consignments of 

 good fish are offered, must purchase at any price to supply the 

 elite customers at their backs. Small wholesale buyers cannot 

 afford to do this. Hence, if the supply be limited, like any other 

 commercial commodity, it commands high prices. Take, for 

 instance, sugar at the present moment. With regard to the 

 middle-men — auctioneers — they simply, after supplying proper 



