THE YELLOW TAIL FAMILY. 151 



another, so as to enable it to hold on which it does most 

 tenaciously. Apparently the fish is not in the least "put 

 out" by the intrusion of the parasite ; as those affected are 

 quite as healthy and vigorous looking as any of th^se without 

 parasites. 



The King-Fish, though not such a cosmopolitan as 

 the Yellowtail, has an immense distribution. It is found 

 along probably the whole of the eastern and southern coast- 

 lines of Australia, and, in addition, occurs in the waters of 

 Tasmania, New Zealand, Lord Howe Island, Japan, Cape 

 of Good Hope and also in those of America from West 

 Florida to Brazil. In addition to the one given above, it is 

 known under various titles in different localities. In America 

 where it is valued as food it is called Amber-Fish, Amber- 

 Jack, or Coronado and in New Zealand, the Maori name of 

 "Haku" is applied to it. Coming nearer home, we find that, 

 as in a number of other species, the application of two 

 different names to the one form in the two principal States 

 of the Commonwealth of Australia, has given rise to a good 

 deal of confusion. In Victoria it is usually known in the 

 markets as "Yellowtail" (just occasionally being heard of as 

 "Sydney King- Fish"). Now the King-Fish grows to a 

 length of about 6 feet with a weight of about 100 pounds ; 

 specimens of 4 feet in length being quite common ; while, 

 as before stated, the length of the largest specimens of 

 Yellowtail usually seen, is about 12 or 13 inches, most 

 people being only familiar with the younger stages up to 

 about 6 or 7 inches ; the surprise and derision, then, of a 

 New South Wales fisherman not armed with the facts as 

 here stated when hearing of the capture along the Vic- 

 torian coast of "Yellowtail" measuring 4 or 5 feet and weigh- 

 ing 50 or 60 pounds, may well be imagined. The "gentle- 

 men of the rod" are not famed for their veracity, and such 

 a story as this would appear to the majority as quite inex- 

 cusable. Yet this is only one of the smallest of the many 

 difficulties arising out of the misuse of common names. 



The King- Fish is a highly- voracious fish and a swift 

 and powerful swimmer. It is of pelagic habit, moving about 

 in enormous shoals, from which, large bodies often detach 

 themselves, entering our harbours either in pursuit of 



