46 NEW SOUTH WALES 
are very good fishes in the fresh state, and equal to the cod or ling for salting, but 
unfortunately they are rare. They are generally caught in deep water on the 
schnapper grounds, and it is quite probable that they may be found more abundant 
towards the southern limit of our sea-board than they are here, but our inquiries 
have not been successful in eliciting information in that direction. Another species 
of Chilodactylus, known among the craft as the ‘‘carp” is more of a rock-fish, 
being frequently taken in the harbour in nets, but it seems to be only an occasional 
visitor. The only species of Latris (L. ciliata) found on this coast is extremely 
rare, and certainly not to be compared for a moment to its Tasmanian relative 
Latris hecateia, the ‘‘ trumpeter.”—R.R.C, 
The two genera thus referred to are thus described :—Chilodactylus. 
One dorsal fin, with from sixteen to nineteen spines; anal fin of 
moderate length, caudal forked. One of the simple pectoral rays more 
or less prolonged, and projecting beyond the margin of the fin. Teeth 
in villiform bands, no canines. Pre-operculum not serrated. Scales of 
moderate size. Air-bladder with many lobes. 
Seventeen species are known, chiefly from the temperate parts of the 
South Pacific and the coasts of China and Japan. They belong to the 
most valuable food fishes, as they grow to a considerable size, from 5 to 
25 lbs., and are easily caught in numbers. At the Cape of Good Hope 
they are very abundant, and preserved in large quantities for export. 
The Morwong. 
(Plate X.) 
The Carp or Morwong (Chilodactylus macropterus, Richardson) has 
six simple pectoral rays, the uppermost very long; dorsal fin notched, 
the seventh spine longest, higher than the soft dorsal, and one-half the 
length of the head. The second anal strong and longer than the third. 
A blackish band from the origin of the dorsal to the base of the pectoral. 
Length, 12 inches, rarely 18. 
Count Castelnau says that this fish is called “ Bastard Trumpeter” by 
the Melbourne fishermen (but the name is also applied to Latris fosteri) ; 
and adds that the colour is silvery, with the upper parts and head of 
a light purple ; a black spot behind the upper part of the operculum ; 
branchiostegal membrane beautiful light blue; dorsal, caudal, and anal 
fins of rather dirty yellow, with the spines purple, ventrals white, 
pectorals yellow, with white interior rays; eye silvery, with a blue ring. 
Some iridescent longitudinal streaks on the sides, In this Colony the 
Morwong is also called “ Jackass-fish.” 
The Red Morwong. 
(Plate XT.) 
The red Morwong or Carp, (. fuscus, Castelnau (plate VIII), is of a 
uniform reddish colour, and about the size of the last species. There are 
six simple rays in the pectoral fins, the upper one not much longer than 
the branched ones, the following very long, the others gradually shorter ; 
dorsal scarcely notched, spiny portion seventeen spines, first rather 
short, fourth longest, back gibbous, ridge on front edge of orbit, caudal 
strongly emarginate, anal with three spines and nine rays; the eye is 
