278 NATURAL HISTORY OF AQUATIC ANIMALS. 



Barbara to Vancouver's Island, and is everywhere abundant. North of San Francisco it is the 

 most common of the larger species. It is au important food-fish, although not of very good quality. 



BLACK SURF FISH (Ditrema Jaclasoni (Agassiz) Giiuther). This species is known as "Perch,' 

 "Surf fish," "Black Perch," etc. About San Diego it is called ''Croaker," which name, however, 

 belongs properly to the Sciffinoid fishes. It reaches a weight of two pounds. It ranges from San 

 Diego to Puget Sound. North of Cape Mendocino it is scarce. From San Francisco southward 

 it is probably brought into the market in greater numbers than any other species. It is but an 

 indifferent food-fish. 



Hypsurus Caryi (L. Agass.) A. Agass. This species is known as "Moharra" to the Portuguese 

 at Monterey; elsewhere it is a "Perch." It reaches the weight of a pound. It ranges from 

 Tomales Bay to Santa Barbara, and is rather common, being sometimes taken in great numbers 

 in spring. It is used chiefly as bait for rock-fish, the larger individuals only being sent to market 

 It is the most brightly colored of its family. 



SILVER SURF-FISH (Amphistichus argenteus Agassiz). This species is known as " Surf-fish" and 

 " White Perch." It reaches a weight of three pounds. It ranges from Tomales to San Diego, and 

 is locally often very abundant, especially along sandy beaches. 



ROSY SURF-FISH (Holconotus rhodoterus Agassiz). This species has no distinctive name with 

 the fishermen. It reaches a weight of one and a half pounds. It ranges from Cape Mendocino 

 to Santa Barbara, being often locally abundant, especially at Sequel, but it is not one of the more 

 common species. 



Holconotus Agassizi (Gill) Jor. & Gilb. This species reaches a weight of but half a pound. In 

 distribution and abundance it agrees with the preceding. 



WALL-EYE SURF-FISH (Holconotus argenteus (Gibb.) Jor. & Gilb.). This species is usually 

 known as the "Wall-eye," in allusion to the great size of its eyes. It reaches a weight of half a 

 pound. It ranges from Cape Meudociuo to the Mexican line, and is generally abundant, especially 

 in the surf. It is taken in large quantities, and is little esteemed. 



Holconotus analis (A. Agass.) Jor. & Gilb. This species reaches a weight of a quarter of a 

 pound. It is found from San Luis Obispo to San Francisco. It is only locally abundant, and is 

 not purposely sent to market. At Soquel, where it is abundant, it is iised for bait. 



Brachyistius ronaceus Jor. & Gilb. This species weighs less than half a pound. It has been 

 taken only in deep water off Point Reyes. 



Brachyintius frenatus Gill. This species rarely weighs more than a quarter of a pound. It 

 ranges from Catalina Island to Vancouver's Island, living in water of moderate depth, and is 

 locally exceedingly abundant, as at Monterey, Point Reyes, etc. Jt comes into the market only by 

 accident, and is used chiefly for bait. 



SPARADA (Cymatogaster aygregatus Gibb.). This fish is usually known as the " Shiner." On 

 Pnget Sound the Americans call it "Minuy," and the Italians "Sparad" or "Sparada." It isfonnd 

 from Vancouver's Island to the Mexican line, everywhere in great numbers, and is perhaps the 

 most abundant species on the coast. It is rarely used except for bait. 



Abeona aurora Jor. & Gilb. This species reaches a weight of nearly half a pound. It is 

 abundant in rocky -places from Monterey to San Francisco, often frequenting rock-pools. It feeds 

 on plants, and is occasionally sent to market. 



SIIINKR (Abeona minima [Gibbons] Gill.). This little fish is usually known as the " Shiner." It 

 is the smallest of the group, rarely weighing a quarter of a pound. It ranges from Tomales Bay 

 to San Diego, and is generally common, although not one of the most abundant species. Its 

 appearance in the market is accidental. 



