188 NATURAL HISTORY OF AQUATIC ANIMALS. 



The specimens I have seen were from eight to ten inches in length, and three-quarters of a 

 pound in weight. It occurs in Puget Sound, but is not very common. 



HIPPOGLOSSOIDES ELASSODON Jordan siiul Gilbert. 



This species reaches a length of about fifteen inches, and a weight of two or three pounds at 

 least. It has been found iu Puget Sound, in rather deep water about the wharves of Seattle, 

 Washington Territory, and New Tacoma. It takes the hook very readily, and affords the boys 

 considerable amusement. Its value as food is probably similar to that of H. Jordani. 



Dr. Bean states that he has specimens from Kodiak, Uualaslika, and the, Shumagin Islands, 

 Alaska. It is a food-fish of some importance in these localities. 



XYSTREURYS LIOLEPIS Jordan and Gilbert. 



This species reaches a length of fourteen inches and a weight of two pounds; ranges from 

 Point Concepcion southward. It lives in water of moderate depth, usually about the kelp. It 

 takes the hook readily, spawns in spring, and feeds on Crustacea and small fish. It is too scarce 

 to have any special economic value. 



ATHERESTHES STOMIAS Jordan and Gilbert. 



This species, so far as known, does not exceed eighteen inches in length and one and a half 

 pounds in weight. It is perhaps the slenderest Flounder known. It has only been seen among 

 fishes taken in the sweep-nets of the parauzelle off Point Reyes, and only about a dozen specimens 

 are known. It probably inhabits considerable depths, and will doubtless be found to belong to the 

 Alaskan fauna. 



THE SLIPPERY SOLE GLYPTOCEPHALUS PAOIPIGUS Lockingtou. 



Like various other species, this fish is known as the Sole, wherever found. It reaches a length 

 of fifteen inches and a weight of two pounds. As usually seen in the market, it is about eight 

 inches iu length and weighs about half a pound. It inhabits deep or cold waters, and ranges from 

 Monterey to Vancouver's Island. In California it is only taken in deep water, and is therefore 

 rarely brought in except by the paranzelle, who obtain it sometimes in enormous numbers. In 

 Puget Sound it comes nearer shore, and is often taken in the seines. It has been brought into 

 the San Francisco market only since the establishment of the paranzelle fishing a few years ago. 

 Since then, it has rapidly increased in abundance in the market, and now makes about five per 

 cent, of the Flounders sold in San Francisco. Many pounds of small ones are daily thrown away 

 in the spring and summer. It feeds on Crustacea and the like. 



It spawns iu May and June, and probably then comes into shallow water, as the catch is then 

 greater than in winter. The large ones are considered among the best of the Flounders. The 

 small ones are little valued. The whole body is excessively slimy when out of water, more so than 

 in any other Flounder. 



THE LONG-FINNED SOLE GLYPTOCEPHALUS ZACHIRUS Lockingtou. 



This species is likewise known as a Sole, but occasionally distinguished as long-finned. It 

 reaches a length of eighteen inches and a weight of about two pounds. The average length is more 

 than a foot. It has been thus far noticed only in deep water about San Francisco and Monterey. 

 It is one of the least abundant of the Flounders, rarely more than a dozen coming into the San 

 Francisco market in a week, and often for long periods none at all. Until the introduction of the 

 paranzelle, it was unknown at Sau Francisco. 



