Zoology^ NATURAL HISTORY OF VICTORIA. [Fishes. 



dorsal fins and two anal ones, and that the Victorian fish in question 

 had only two dorsals and one anal, they could not be even of the 

 same genus, and that no arguments based on the identity with the 

 true cod could be relied upon for the commercial speculation. The 

 project collapsed ; and although none of the capitalists willing to 

 invest in the matter then knew " how many fins had a cod," the 

 figure now given will settle the identity of our fish for the future. 



This species seems to vary more than usual in the number of the 

 fin rays, some of our specimens having more and some less than in 

 Dr. Giinther's type. The very much smaller and more numerous 

 scales readily distinguish it from the New Zealand Pseudophysis 

 breviusculus. 



The abdomen between the throat and anal fin is very prominent, 

 owing to the unusually large size of the liver. 



Caught commonly with a line all the colder months of the year 

 in Port Philip Bay on rocky reefs in five or six fathoms water. It 

 is sold in the markets commonly for the table, but the flesh is soft 

 and not very good. The fishermen report the spawning time to be 

 in April. 



Explanation op Figures. 



Plate 20. — Fig. 1, view of ordinary specimen, three-eighths the natural size, of the colors 

 of the living fish. Fig. la, form of section. Fig. \b, rows of small equal teeth on the jaws and 

 teeth on back of tongue. Fig. lc, scales from below lateral line behind pectoral fin, natural size. 



Frederick McCoy. 



By Authority : John Fekres, Government Printer. 

 [31] 



