THE ROOK-FISHES OF CALIFORNIA. 265 



water about Monterey aud the Farallones. It is one of the smallest species, rarely weighing more 

 than a pound. 



CORSAIR (Sebastichthys rosaceus (Grd.) Lock). This species is known to the Portuguese fish- 

 ermen at Monterey by the name "Corsair," a name of unknown application transplanted 1'rom the 

 Azores. It is one of the smallest species, rarely weighing more than a pound and a half. It 

 ranges from Santa Barbara to San Francisco, in deep water, and, where found, it is the most abun- 

 dant of the red species. When the weather permits outside fishing with trawl-lines, this is one of 

 the most abundant species in the San Francisco markets. It ranks high as a food-fish. 



SPOTTED CORSAIR (Sebastichthys constellatus Jor. & Gilb.). In size, distribution, habits, and 

 value this species agrees with the "Corsair." It is, however, considerably less abundant, although 

 not a rare fish in the markets of San Francisco. 



YELLOW ROCK-PISH (Sebastichthys umbrosus Jor. & Gilb.). Two specimens only of this species 

 are known, both of which are from Santa Barbara. 



SPANISH FLAG (Sebastichthys rubrivinctus Jor. & Gilb.). At Monterey this species is known 

 by the very appropriate name of "Spanish Flag," from its broad bauds of red, white, and red. It 

 reaches a weight of about six pounds. It is found in very deep water on rocky reefs about Santa 

 Barbara and Monterey. It is perhaps the least common in the markets of all the species, except 

 Sumbrosus. In coloration it is the most brilliant fish on the coast. 



RED ROCK-PISH (Sebastichthits ruber (Ayres) Lock.). This species is usually the "Red Rock 

 fish" par excellence. At Monterey it is called by the Portuguese "Tambor," a name evidently 

 transferred from some Atlantic species. It, probably reaches a larger size than any other species, 

 attaining a weight of twelve or more pounds. It ranges from Santa Barbara to Puget Sound, its 

 abundance increasing to the northward. It lives in water of considerable depth. In the markets 

 of San Francisco it is one of the most common species. Large specimens about Victoria, in tin- 

 Straits of Fuca, had the skull above the brain infected by an encysted parasitic worm. Great 

 numbers of them were seen in the Straits of Fuca, according to Mr. Swan, swimming stupidly near 

 the surface, so torpid that the Indians killed them with clubs. According to the Indians, they had 

 been struck by the Thunder-bird, which, with its companion, the Lightning-fish, causes many of 

 the phenomena in that region. The smaller specimens of this species rank well as food-fishes; the 

 larger ones are likely to be coarse or tough. 



RASHEK (Sebastichthys miniatus Jor. & Gilb.). This species is known to the Portuguese at 

 Monterey as the "Rasher," a name of unknown origin and orthography. It ranges from Santa 

 Barbara to San Francisco, living in water of moderate depth. It is comparatively common, and is 

 frequently seen in the markets, though in much less numbers than S. ruber and S. pinniger. In size 

 and quality it agrees closely with S. pinniger. 



ORANGE ROCK-PISH (Sebastichthys pinniger (Gill) Lock.). This species is usually called simply 

 "Red Rock-cod'] or "Red Rock-fish" aud not distinguished from the two preceding. The Portu- 

 guese at Monterey know it by the name "Fliaum," a word of unknown origin. It is one of 

 the largest species, reaching a weight of eight or ten pounds. It ranges from Monterey tn Puget 

 Sound, being generally very abundant in deep water, where it is taken on trawl-lines. This 

 is probably the most abundant of the larger species. At San Francisco individuals are often 

 found with black discolored areas, looking like ink-blotches, on their sides. No cause I'm- this has 

 been noticed, and if it be a disease it does not seem to discommode the fish. In the market rhis 

 species grades with S. ruber, and, like it, is often .split and salted. 



GREEN GARRUPA (Sebastichthys atrovirens Jor. & Gilb.). This species is commonly known 

 as " Garrupa" and " Green Rock-fish," being rarely distiuguished from S. rastrelliaer. It reaches a 



