5 2 



AMERICAN FISHES. 



company with the other species of Groupers. It is found on the coast all 

 the year round, and is caught with the hook and line. It seldom exceeds 

 the weight of twenty pounds, and the average size is much smaller. It is 

 considered an excellent table fish. The Spanish fishermen of Key West 

 call it "Baccalao" (Cod fish.) 



S. C. Clarke refers to a fish which he calls the " Mangrove Snapper or 

 Red Grouper," to which he attributes gamey qualities far in excess of 

 those mentioned by Stearns. It is probable that he has in mind this 

 grouper and not a snapper. 



Several of these fishes, whose relations have not yet been determined, 

 have been taken abong the Atlantic coast, particularly at the mouth of the 

 Chesapeake and at Wood's Holl, Massachusetts. 



There are several other species belonging to this family which have been 

 observed, none of which, however, are of any economic importance. 



The Pacific Jew-fish, Stereolepis gigas, is one of the principal serranoid 

 fishes of the Pacific coast. It is also sometimes called the "Black Sea 

 Bass." It reaches a weight of five hundred pounds, being the largest 

 food-fish on the coast. It ranges from the Farallones to below San Do- 

 mingo, and is generally abundant in deep water about the islands, but 

 from its great size is seldom taken. It feeds upon smaller fishes, and is 

 voracious. It is often taken by swallowing a white-fish when the latter is 

 on the hook. Its flesh is of excellent quality, and those small enough to 

 be available always brings a very high price in the market. 



The Cabrilla, Serranus clathratus, is called at Monterey, where it is 

 not common, the "Kelp Salmon"; further south it is known to the 

 Americans usually as "Black Bass," and to the Italians and Spaniards as 

 "Cabrilla," a name applied to other species of Serranus in the Mediter- 

 ranean. The Chinese call it " Lockee Cod " (Rock Cod). It reaches a 

 length of eighteen inches and a weight of about five pounds. It ranges 

 from San Francisco to Cerros Island, being very abundant about the Santa 

 Barbara Islands, where it is taken in large numbers. It lives in water of 

 no great depth, chiefly about the rocks. It feeds on squid, Crustacea, and 

 small fishes. It is an excellent food-fish, similar in quality to the related 

 Atlantic species. 



The Johnny Cabrilla, Serranus ncbulifer, receives the name " Rock 

 Bass" and "Cabrilla" with the other species. The distinctive Spanish 

 name of " Johnny (Juan) Verde " is also in frequent use, especially at San 



