TAUTOG. CHOGSET AND PARROT-FISH. 



: 99 



chiefly with hook and line. It feeds on crustaceans and mollusks. It is 

 taken chiefly by the Chinese, who salt and dry it. It forms half of the 

 total catch of the Chinese south of Point Conception. It does not rank 

 high as food-fish, its flesh being coarse. The fat forehead is said to make 

 excellent chowder. 



The Senorita-fish, of Monterey, Pseudojulis modestus, is known as 

 " Pescerey"; southward it is called "Senorita." It reaches a weight of 

 less than half a pound. It is found in the kelp from Monterey southward 

 to Cerros Island, and is generally common. It feeds chiefly on crusta- 

 ceans, and is used, as a rule, only for bait, although the flesh is said to 

 be of excellent quality. 



The Kelp-fish, of California, Platyglossus semicinctus, bears in company 

 with Heterosticlius rostatus, and perhaps others, the name of " Kelp-fish." 

 It reaches a pound in weight, and a length of nearly a foot. It is found 

 in the kelp about Santa Catalina Island and southward, and is not very 

 abundant. It feeds on Crustacea, and spawns in July. Its flesh is said to 

 be of good quality. 



The Hog-fish, Lachnolcemus falcatus, is, according to Mr. Stearns, 

 abundant at Key West and along the Florida coral reefs, although he has 

 not observed it north of the Gulf of Mexico. It there attains a consider- 

 able size, and a weight of twelve or fifteen pounds, although the average 

 fish is not more than one-fourth that size. In the Key West market it 

 appears almost daily, and is much esteemed for food. This species occurs 

 throughout the West Indies, and is one of the favorite food-fishes of Cuba, 

 although its sale is forbidden by law, on account of the supposed poisonous 

 nature of its flesh. In the Bermudas it is one of the most important of the 

 food-fishes, attaining sometimes the weight of twenty pounds. It is caught 

 by the line fishermen among^the reefs, at a depth of five to forty fathoms. 

 Like the other members of this family, it feeds upon small fish, and upon 

 bottom crustaceans and mollusks. Its brilliant red color renders it a con- 

 spicuous object in the markets. During the different stages of growth its 

 species undergoes many changes of form, and has been described under 

 several different names. The large adult male is remarkable on account 

 of a heavy black blotch over the forehead and over the eyes. The name 

 "Hog-fish" refers to the swine-like appearance of the head, jaws, and 

 teeth. At the entrance to the Great Sound, in Bermuda, is a reef called 

 Hog-fish shoal, which is surmounted by a beacon bearing an enormous 

 effigy of a Hog-fish in metal. 



