6 FISHERIES OP THE ORIENTAL REGION, 



between tins and body is entirely obliterated. They are mainly 

 tropical and mostly found near coral reefs. The beauty and bril- 

 liancy of the colors of the Chmtodons, Heniochus, and Holocanthus 

 can never be forgotten by those who have once seen the glories 

 of the deep. Such startling contrasts of the brightest colors, 

 vermilion, carmine, shades of blue, orange, and the finest green 

 meet one on every side, exciting one's admiration as much as the 

 bright glories of the feathered tribes in these regions, forming a 

 fitting accompaniment to the indescribable splendours of a coral 

 reef. Their odd forms are also especially exceptional. They are 

 small, and comparatively fcw are used as food. They feed on 

 small invertebrates, and are rarely found in brackish water. 



Next come the Mursenidse or Sea-eels, with long scaleless, snake- 

 like bodies, and wide slits for gill openings. Then follow the 

 Clupeidse or Herrings, which are regular denizens of this region, 

 and include some splendid food fishes, highly valued for their very 

 delicate flavour. They include Herrings, Sardines, Anchovies, 

 and the Chanos salmoneus, a fish valued as much as the salmon. 

 Equalling these in number are the Carangidae or Horse-mackerels, 

 easily distinguished by the plate-like scales of the lateral line. 

 Our own Yellow-tail in Sydney is an instance of this. The Horse- 

 mackerels are favourite articles of food in the east, and one sees 

 them in all the markets. I think they are the cheapest kind of 

 fish. About 13 species of Oaranx are known in the markets of 

 Penang. They are at best but poor table fishes. Then follow the 

 Scorpsenidse, a family distinguished by the spines and armature 

 about the head and fins, with skinny appendages resembling the 

 fronds of sea-weeds, which give to them a very formidable and 

 ugly appearance. Generally their colour assimilates to their 

 surroundings, that is an irregular mottling of red, yellow, brown 

 or black. They are commonly small and ugly, with prominent 

 ghost-like eyes, set in large, hollow, lantern-like sockets. They 

 are esteemed as food by some. Wounds inflicted by their spines 

 are exceedingly painful, probably from a poisonous mucus, but 

 they are not followed by serious consequences. 



