THE PARROT-FISHES AND THEIR ALLIES. 275 



THE RED-FISH, OF CALIFORNIA. 



This species, Trochocopu.t pulchcr, writes Jordan, is everywhere known as the "Red-fish": the 

 name "Fat-head" is occasionally used, and it is very rarely called " SheVpslK-ad." It reaches a 

 weight of twelve to fifteen pounds. It is found from Point Concepeion southward to Cerros Island 

 in enormous numbers in the kelp. It is takeu chiefly with hook and line. It feeds on crustaceans 

 and mollusks. It is taken chiefly by the- Chinese, who salt and dry it. It forms half of the total 

 catch of the Chinese south of Point Concepeion. It does not rank high as a food-fish, its flesh 

 being coarse. The fat forehead is said to make excellent chowder. 



THE SE5JORITA-FISH, OF CALIFORNIA. 



At Monterey, California, this species, Pseudojulis modestiw, is known as, "Pescerey"; south- 

 ward it is called " SeQorita." It reaches a weight of less than half a pound. It is found in the 

 kelp from Monterey southward to Cerros Island, and is generally common. It feeds chiefly on 

 Crustacea. It is used chiefly for bait, although the flesh is said to be of excellent quality. 



THE KELP-FISH, OF CALIFORNIA. 



This species, Platyglossus semicinctus, bears in company with Heterostichus rostratus, and 

 perhaps others, the name of "Kelp-fish." It reaches a pound weight, and a length of nearly 

 foot It is found in the kelp about Santa Catalina Island and southward, and is not very abun- 

 dant. It feeds on Crustacea, and spawns in July. Its flesh is said to hje of good quality. 



THE HOG-FISH LACHNOL^aros FALCATUS. 



This fish is, according to Mr. Stearns, abundant at Key West and among the Florida coral reefs, 

 although he has not observed it north of the Gulf of Mexico. It there attains a considerable size, 

 and a weight of twelve or fifteen pounds, although the average size is notlnore than one-fourth 

 that size. In the Key West market it appears almost daily, and is much esteemed for food. This 

 species occurs throughout the West Indies, and is one of the favorite food-fish of Cuba, although 

 its sale is forbidden by law, on account of the supposed poisonous nature of its flesh. In the 

 Bermudas it is one of the most important of the food-fish, attaining sometimes the weight of 

 tweut'y pounds. It is caught by line-fishermen among the reefs, at a depth of five to forty fathoms- 

 Like the other members of this family, it feeds upon small fish and upon bottom crustaceans and 

 mollusks. Its brilliant red color renders it a conspicuous object in the markets. During the 

 different stages of growth its species undergoes rnajiy changes of form, and has been described 

 under several different names. The large adult male is remarkable on account of a heavy black 

 blotch over the forehead and over the eyes. The name " Hog-fish" refers to the swine-like appear- 

 ance of the head, jaws, and teeth. At the entrance to the Great Sound, in Bermuda, is a reef called 

 Hog-fish Shoal, which is surmounted by a 'beacon bearing an enormous effigy of a Hog-fish in metal- 



89. THE DEMOISELLE AND THE CICHLID FAMILIES. 



Among the reefs of Florida two or three species of the family Pomacentridce are abundant. 

 Most prominent among these is the "Sergeant Major," Glyplidodon saxatilis (L.) C. & V., called 

 in Bermuda the " Cow-pilot," from an alleged habit of being always found in the society of the 

 "Cow-fish," or Ostracion. This, fish sometimes attains the length of ten inches and the weight of 

 a pound or so, but is usually of a smaller size and is not highly esteemed for food. It is found 

 throughout the tropical waters of the entire world. 



