elephant-fish

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

n.


a fish of New Zealand, SouthAustralian, and Tasmanian waters, Callorhynchusantarcticus, Lacep., family Chimaeridae. «It hasa cartilaginous prominence of the snout, ending in a cutaneousflap» (Gunth.), suggesting a comparison with an elephant'strunk. Called also King of the Herrings (q.v.).

1802. G. Barrington, `Voyage to New South Wales,' p. 388:

«The sea affords a much greater plenty, and at least as greata variety as the land; of these the elephant fish were verypalatable food.»

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