262 NATURAL HISTORY OF AQUATIC ANIMALS. 



Although the Rose-fish is much esteemed as an article of food, and is caught in considerable 

 numbers all along the coast of Maine and the British Provinces in the season when it frequents the 

 shallows near the shore, and in winter at Gloucester when flocking in large numbers into the 

 harbor, the most extensive fisheries are probably on the coast of Greenland, where they are highly 

 prized by the natives, who feed on the flesh and use the spines of the fins for needles, and in 

 Massachusetts Bay, where great quantities are taken by the Irish market-fishermen on tniwl- 

 lines. In winter they are occasionally found in the New York markets, and on one or two occa- 

 sions have been brought in considerable numbers to New Haven, and even to Philadelphia. 

 The flesh is firm, rich, and delicate in flavor; the young fish, fried crisp, make an excellent substi- 

 tute for white-bait. 



84. THE BOOK CODS OF THE PACIFIC. 



By DAVID S. JORDAN. 



[On the Pacific coast, as has already been stated, the fishes of this family, known as Rock-cod 

 and Rock-fish, are of great importance. They are discussed at length by Professor Jordan, who 

 writes:] 



One of the most remarkable features of the Californian fish fauna is the enormous abundance 

 both in individuals and in species of the group of Scorpaenidse. All of them are excellent food- 

 fishes, and scarcely a boat returns from any kind of fishing in -which these fishes do not form a 

 conspicuous part of the catch. In every fish-market they are found, and from their large size 

 and brilliant coloration they are everywhere the most conspicuous fishes on the stalls. 



These fishes have so many traits in common, that a review of the group as a whole is desira- 

 ble before we proceed to the consideration of the several species. 



NAMES. These fishes are universally known by the names of Rock-fish and Rock-cod. The 

 latter name is the one most commonly heard, the other name being apparently a reaction against 

 the obvious error of calling these fish "Cod." The name Rock-fish is an appropriate one, and in 

 time it will probably supplant that of Rock-cod. The name Cod or Cod-fish is never applied to 

 them without the accompanying "Rock." In the southern part of California, the name "Garrupa" 

 or "Grouper" is in common use, especially for the olivaceous species. This is a Portuguese word, 

 and belonged originally to the species of Epinephelm and related genera. Different species have 

 also special names, mostly given by the Portuguese fishermen. These are noticed below. 



The average size of the species of the group is about fifteen inches in length, and a weight 

 of two or three pounds. Some of them reach a length of nearly three feet, and a weight of twelve 

 ponnds. Nothing is known of their rate of growth. 



The greatest abundance both of individuals and of species in this group is to be found from 

 Santa Barbara to San Francisco, the maximum about Monterey. They occur from Cerros Island, 

 where they are rather scarce, at least as far as Kodiak, and other species similar are found on the 

 coasts of Japan, Chili, etc. The individuals are extremely local. Most of the species are found 

 about rocky reefs, often in considerable depths, and they probably stray but little from their abodes. 

 In general, the red species inhabit greater depths than the brown or green ones, and the latter 

 swim about more freely. Their abundance on certain reefs about Monterey and the Faralloues is 

 doubtless being diminished; elsewhere there has been little danger of overtishing. All are preda- 

 tory and voracious, feeding mainly upon other fishes, and sometimes on crustaceans. 



All of the species are ovo-viviparous. The eggs are small and exceedingly numerous, and are 

 ha tclicd within the body. The eggs themselves arc bright yellow. In the spring, at a season vary- 

 ing with the latitude and perhaps with different species, these yellow eggs turn to a grayish color. 



