2 68 AMERICAN FISHES. 



Sebastichthys sentomelas is very similar to the preceding in size and 

 habits. Thus far it has been only found in deep water outside of Monte- 

 rey Bay. 



Sebastichthys mystinus, is most generally called the "Black Rock- 

 fish," but in Puget Sound is known, with its more abundant relative, 

 Sebastichthys mclanops, as the " Black Bass." The Portuguese at Monterey 

 call it " Pesce Pretre," or Priest-fish, in allusion to its dark colors, so 

 different from those of most of the other members of the family. It 

 reaches a weight of five pounds, but as usually seen in the markets, varies 

 from two to three. It ranges from Santa Barbara to Vancouver's Island, 

 inhabiting waters of moderate depths. It is much more abundant about 

 Monterey and San Francisco than either northward or southward, and 

 large numbers are taken in Tomales Bay. In the markets of San Fran- 

 cisco it is found, taking the year through, in greater numbers than any 

 other species. It sells at a lower price than the others, its color causing 

 a prejudice against it, although the quality of the fish doubtless differs 

 little from that of the rest. 



Specimens of the Alaska Black Rockfish, Sebastichthys ciliatus, from the 

 Islands are in the National Museum. Nothing distinctive is known in 

 regard to its habits, which probably agree with those oi S. mclanops. 



The Spotted Black Rockfish, Sebastichthys melanops, is founded with S. 

 mystinus by the fishermen, under the name of "Black Bass" in Puget 

 Sound, "Black Rockfish" in San Francisco, and "Pesce Pretre" at 

 Monterey. In size and value it agrees with ^. mystinus. Its range is 

 more northerly, from Monterey to Puget Sound, being not very common 

 at San Francisco, and one of the most abundant species in Puget Sound. 



The Yellow-Tail Rockfish, Sebastichthys flavidus, is occasionally called 

 the " Green Rockfish " or " Rock-cod " at San Francisco. At Monterey 

 it is always known by the appropriate name of " Yellow-tail," the caudal 

 fin being always distinctively yellow. To distinguish it from the Yellow- 

 tail of further south we may call it the Yellow-tail Rockfish. This species 

 reaches a weight of six and seven pounds, but its usual weight is about 

 two. It ranges from Santa Catalina Island to Cape Mendocino, and is 

 taken both in deep water and near shore. About Monterey and San 

 Francisco it is very abundant, and is one of the principal species in the 

 markets. As a food-fish it is considered as one of the best in the group. 



About Monterey and San Francisco, the Boccacio, Sebastodes paucispinis, 



