56 



LORD HOWK ISLAND. 



space yoUow, the extreme tip of the snout and chiu black, the prcorbitala 

 and mandibular region whitish ; the ocular band is narrower than the 

 eye, and runs obliquely forward from the hinder margin of the occiput to 

 the eye, beneath which it curves bacitward in a lesser degree to the isthmus, 

 but does not join the corresponding band on the opposite side ; behind this 

 there is a broad grey band, tipped with orange on both profiles, running 

 from between the origin of the ocular band and the second dorsal spine 

 downwards in front of and across the base of the pectoral to that of the 

 ventral fin ; the rest of the body, as far as the anterior dorsal and anal rays, 

 dark purplish-brown, the fins only being tipped with orange ; behind this 

 there is a narrow golden band which is lost at the base of the anal ; a large 

 oval black spot between the sixth and sixteenth dorsal rays, below which is 

 a brown band which suif uses itself over the entire base of the anal fin ; the 

 remainder of the dorsal and anal fins golden with a narrow black margin ; 

 the pedicle is golden, while the caudal fin is uniform grey, with a narrow dark 

 brown basal band. 



Mr. Saunders collected but one specimen of thisboautiful little fish, and saw 

 two others only. Our example measures Just one inch and four-fifths, both 

 the others having been larger. lie states that they are very quick in their 

 movements, and easily baffled him in his attempts to capture them. He found 

 them in pools at very low water. Eegister number, I. 1791. 



SCOEPIS, Ouv. & Vnl. 



ScOnPIS .T5QUIPIKKIS, HicJi. 



Two fine examples, the larger eleven inches in length, were brought back by 

 Mr. Etheridge's party. 



ATTPICHTITYS, Guniher. 

 Atypiciitiits steto.vtus, Gntli. 



The "Leather Jacket" of the islanders. It is not used as food, though it 

 grows to a length of ten inches, — almost double that of the largest of the 

 many scores which I have seen from the neighborhood of Port Jackson, — and 

 is common, especially so in a deep hole inside the reef known as the 

 " Comet's Hole." 



MULLID^. 

 HYPENEUS, Gw. Sf Val. 



ITV'PENEUS 8IGNATUS, Gntll. 



Three specimens of this handsome Eed Mullet have been brought back by 

 our collectors, who state that it is considered rare. They are all of large 

 size, measuring from eight and a half to ten inches in length, a size which 

 is much greater than any I have seen from Port Jackson. As food they 

 are soft, watery, and flavorless. 



SPARID^. 



GIEELLA, Grm,. 



GiBELLA CTANEA, Macleay. 



The "Blue-fish" is abundant at all seasons, and is one of the staple articles 

 of food among the inhabitants, being used either fresh, salted, or smoked. It 

 is taken principally if not altogether by means of hand-lmcs, and grows to 

 about thirty inches in length. Its flesh is better flavored than that of the other 

 species of Oirella, which is probably owing to the fact that it habitually 

 feeds on such substances as soft molluscs, crustaceans, and small fishes, 

 instead of confining itself to a purely vegetable diet like its congeners. 



