GENERAL ZOOLOGY. 



19 



Damelii, Glintlier, obtained during tlie voyage of the "Herald"; Plecirojwma 

 cinctum, Griiutlier ; and Trachypoma macracanthus, Griinther. 



The specimens obtained during our late visit were one hundred and 

 fifty-five in number, distributed over about thirty -two genera, and between 

 thirty-five and forty species. Except a few, too young to be identified, all 

 are of interest, and some, such as Tetragonurus, of especial interest and 

 value. The identification of the genera and species has been earned out by 

 our colleague, Mr. J. Douglas Ogilby, whose appendix to the present sketch 

 will be read with much interest. On glancing through the list given below, 

 the reader will be at once struck by the number of important food fish 

 inhabiting the waters around Lord Howe, a fact to be dwelt on later. 



Serranus Bmmeli, Giinther, the Black Eock Cod or "Sea Perch," and one 

 of the best marketable fish in Sydney, is common, and of large size. The 

 largest seen by us, was one hooked by Mr. Thorpe, which could not have 

 been less than between 80 and 90 lb. An excellent spot for Eock-cod 

 fishino- will be found at the western base of Mount Gower, off the Erskme 

 Valle^, and the rocky ledges to the east of Ned's Beach, where our monster 

 was hooked. Other members of the Percido} obtained were Plectropoma 

 cinctum, Giinther, a Norfolk Island species, and TracTiypoma macracanthus, 

 Glinther, said to be restricted to Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands. 



The so-called Salmon, Arripis salar, Eich., is very common, especially 

 within the Lagoon, where we caught numerous examples, ranging from a 

 few ounces to 3 or 4 lb. in weight. Notwithstanding the reputed poisonous 

 qualities of A. salar, we partook freely of it, and did not experience 

 any unpleasant symptons, nor did we hear of any evil eftects arising from 

 its consumption by the Islanders. It is poisonous probably only when stale. 

 Of the tropical family Squamipinnes, two genera were caught, the 

 Sweep, Scorpis a^quipinnis, being the most important. The Sparida), or Sea 

 Breams are represented by Girella cyanea, Macleay, with which the t^as 

 around the islands are teeming. It is one of the most important food hsli 

 obtained there, and would yield large results to well conducted fishing ^opera- 

 tions. No species commends itself more highly ^~- "" '" 



Sydney market than G. cyanea, both from its size, 

 ness of its flesh, and ease with which it is caught, 

 fifteen pounds, and is one of the most exquisitely, 

 coloured fish, caught off Lord Howe Island. 



Two members of the curious family Scorpwnida;, 

 a handsome Seorpa-na, and a dried example of Pterois volitans, Lmn.,^ 

 presented by Mr. W. E. Langley. "These fish possess in various degrees ot 

 development those skinny appendages resembling the fronds of sea-weeds, 

 by which they either attract other fishes, or by which they are enabled more 

 efi'eetually to hide themselves."* Two other edible forms, members of the 

 Carangid», are a species of Garanx, a very large fish, allied to the Horse Mac- 

 kerels ; and the Seriola Lalandi, C. & V., the King-fish, called " ToUow-tail 

 by the Islanders, but not the yellow-tail of Port Jackson. It would be of great 

 assistance in unravelling the confusion existing among the local names ot fish 

 if a catalogue of the same could be compiled, showing their application to 

 the different species throughout the Australian seas. As a case in ]ioint the 

 Rev. J. E. T. A\^oods remarkst that Seriola Lalatidi, although calledj' Kmg- 

 fish " in New South Wales, is not the fish of that name caught in Yictonau 

 Waters, nor that known under a similar designation in Tasmania. 



for carriage to the 

 plentitude, the firm- 

 It reaches a size of 

 although uniformly 



were secured — one. 



* (Tiintlier, loc. cit., p. 41,3. 



t Fish and Fisheries of New South A\'ales, 1S83, p. 59. 



