26 



Sebastes helvomaculatus, [Ayres]. — This species is readily distin- 

 guished by its colors. It is red, but the red is commonly paler than 

 that of S. rosaceus, while each side is marked with three oblong pink 

 spots ; one near the end of the dorsal fin ; another opposite the ante- 

 rior part of the soft portion of the dorsal, and near the dorsal outline ; 

 and the third a little more remote from the dorsal outUne, and about 

 opposite the commencement of the last third of the spinous portion of 

 the dorsal fin. These spots are quite constant, and furnish a good 

 specific character. The length of each equals about half the diame- 

 ter of the eye. In a few instances a fourth spot has been seen. 



The accessory scales are not numerous. 



In form, and in the spines of the head, this fish somewhat resem- 

 bles S. auriculatus. The head constitutes one-third of the entire 

 length, the length of the head being decidedly greater than the depth 

 of the body. The length of the eye is a little more than one-fourth 

 of the lenirth of the head. The length of the anal fin is about two- 

 thirds that of the soft portion of the dorsal. The termmation of the 

 caudal is nearly square. 



D. XIII, 13, P. 8, 9, V. 1, 5, A. Ill, 6, C. 4, 1, 6, 6, 1, 4. 



S. Iidvomaculatus is not very rare ; within the last year it has been 

 brought to the markets in San Francisco in considerable numbers. It 

 rarely exceeds ten inches in length. 



Sehastes elonc/atus, [Ayres] . — This species is readily distinguished 

 from the others of the genus occurring in our waters, by its much 

 more slender form, the greatest depth being a very little more than 

 one-fifth the total length. The length of the head is not quite one- 

 third the length of the fish ; the longitudinal diameter of the eye con- 

 tained four times in the length of the side of the head. 



The spines of the upper surface of the head are acute, but not 

 strongly developed ; those of the opercular pieces larger than in most 

 of the species. 



Dorsal fin arising a little in advance of the termination of the 

 operculum ; the length of the spinous portion double that of the soft ; 

 the greatest height of the spinous and soft rays about equal. 



Anal terminating a little anteriorly to the line of termination of the 

 dorsal, its length half that of the soft portion of the dorsal. 

  Pectorals in height equaling half the length of the dorsal ; the 

 undivided rays widely free at their tips. 



Accessory scales not very numerous. 



Maxillary reaching the line of the posterior border of the pupil. 



In color this fish is of a light yellowish brown, with the back and 

 upper portion of the sides marked with numerous blotches of black- 

 ish brown, so arranged as to furra an irregular system of longitudinal 



