428 



Series Plectognathi 



prickles and the ventral fins may be greatly reduced. Still 

 the changes are very gradual, and it is not easy to divide the 

 group into smaller families. 



The most primitive existing genus is doubtless Sebastes. 

 The familiar rosefish, Sebastes marinus, is found on both shores 

 of the north Atlantic. It is bright red in color and is valued 

 as food. As befits a northern fish, it has an increased number 

 of vertebrae (31) and the dorsal spines number 15. From its 

 large haddock-like eye it has been called the Norway haddock. 

 It is an important food-fish in New England as well as in north- 

 ern Europe. 



In the north Pacific Sebastes gives place to Sebastolobus, 

 with three species (macrochir, altivelis, and alascanus) , all bright- 



FIG. 367. Sebastolobus altivelis Gilbert. Alaska. 



red fishes of soft substance and living in rather deep water. 

 Sebastolobus is characterized by its two-lobed pectoral fin, the 

 lower rays being enlarged. 



The genus Sebastodes, with its rougher-headed ally Sebas- 

 tichthys, with 13 dorsal spines and the vertebrae 27, ranges far- 

 ther south than Sebastes and forms one of the most character- 

 istic features of the fauna of California and Japan, 50 species 

 occurring about California and 25 being already known from 

 Japan. One species (Sebastichthys capensis} is recorded from 

 the Cape of Good Hope, and two, Sebastichthys oculatus and 

 5. darwini, from the coast of Chile. 



