THE GRENADIERS OR WHIPTA1LS. 85 



captured in New Zealand, many being- despatched to the 

 principal Australian centres of distribution notably Sydney 

 in either a frozen or smoked condition. On the Vic- 

 torian coast, where it is often obtained, this fish is usually 

 known as "Trevally," a name which should only be applied 

 to Caranx georgianns (page 149). 



Perhaps the most remarkable fish in this family is that 

 peculiar form known as the Portuguese Man - o' 

 War Fish (Nomeus gronovii). This widely-distributed 

 species, is found on the coast of New South Wales at the 

 same time of the year as, and in the company of, the beau- 

 tiful, but rather treacherous little Medusa known as "Por- 

 tuguese Man-o'-War" or Physalia. The Medusae float 

 along at the surface of the ocean, and beneath their long 

 tentacles swim serenely these little fishes, which do not seem 

 to be in any way affected by their proximity to their dan- 

 gerously-stinging neighbour; while other fishes usually be- 

 come entangled and paralysed in the embrace of those same 

 tentacles. The Portuguese Man-o'-War Fish has enormous 

 ventral fins, folding in a groove in the lower part of the 

 body. 



THE GRENADIERS OR WHIPTAILS. 



(Family: Macruridtc.) 



THIS is a large family of deep-sea fishes with very large 

 saucer-eyes and having a comparatively short, deep trunk, 

 with an elongate tail tapering to a point. There is no 

 caudal fin. 



Fishes of this family have been obtained at a depth of 

 more than 2,500 fathoms. 



One species Macrurus australis has been obtained in 

 the waters of Tasmania. This curious fish has a projecting 

 snout and an exceedingly large eye, the diameter of which 

 is nearly equal to one-third of the length of the head. The 

 head is rather compressed, and possesses a number of rough, 

 obtuse ridges. The snout has a ridge along the middle of 



