THE ROSE- FISH AXD ITS ALLIES. 263 



the larger individuals prey upon the smaller. The hag-fish (Polistrotrema) 

 destroys considerable numbers. They are usually very free from internal 

 parasites. 



All the members of this family rank high as food-fishes. The flesh is 

 firm and white, and, although not very delicate, is of a fair quality. That 

 of Scorpcsna guttata is probably best ; that of Sebastichthys mystinus brings 

 the lowest price in market, but the prejudice against the latter species 

 perhaps rests on its color. 



The Scorpene, Scorpcsna guttata, is known also by the names 

 "Scorpion" and "Sculpin." "Scorpene" (Scolpina), in common use 

 among the Italian fishermen, is of course the name of Seorpcena parens, S. 

 scrofa, and other Mediterranean fishes, transferred to this very similar 

 North American fish. The wound made by the dorsal spines of this fish is 

 excessively painful, far more so than the sting of a bee, as though the 

 spines had some venomous secretion. The name Scorpcsna is evidently 

 derived from this. This species reaches a length of something over a foot 

 and a weight of about two pounds. It is found only from Point Concep- 

 tion southward to Ascension Island, living about rocks and kelp, but often 

 entering the bays. It is generally common, and takes the hook freely. 

 It feeds upon Crustacea and small fishes, and spawns in spring. Nothing 

 distinctive is known of its breeding habits. As a food-fish it ranks with 

 the best, being superior to the species of Sebastichthys, and it always is in 

 good demand where known. 



The Black-banded Rockfish, Sebastichthys migrocinctus , has, so far as we 

 know, received no distinctive name from the fishermen. It, reaches a 

 weight of about four pounds and a length of eighteen to twenty inches. 

 It ranges from Monterey northward, being found only in deep water (ten 

 to twenty fathoms). About San Francisco it is exceedingly rare, not half 

 a dozen usually coming into the market in a year. In the Straits of Fuca 

 and outside in the open ocean it is tolerably abundant. The food and 

 the breeding habits, as far as known, differ little in this family, and the 

 general remarks on the group apply to all the species of Sebastichthys. 

 As a food-fish this species sells readily on account of its brilliant and at- 

 tractive colors, second only in brilliancy to those of the " Spanish Flag." 



Sebastichthys serriceps, wherever this species receives a distinctive 

 name, is known as the "Tree-fish," an appellation originating 

 with the Portuguese at Monterey, and without obvious application. 



