sea-dragon

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

n.


any Australian fish of any oneof the three species of the genus Phyllopteryx, family Syngnathidae. The name of the genus comes from theGreek phullon = a leaf, and pterux = a wing.This genus is said by Guenther to be exclusivelyAustralian. «Protective resemblance attains its highest degreeof development,» he says, in this genus. «Not only theircolour closely assimilates that of the particular kind ofsea-weed which they frequent, but the appendages of theirspines seem to be merely part of the fucus to which they areattached. They attain a length of twelve inches.» (`Study ofFishes,' p. 683.) The name, in England, is given to other anddifferent fishes. The species P. foliatus is called the Superb Dragon (q.v.), from the beauty of its colours.

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