36 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



Family CEPHALOPTERIDJ^. 



38. Mauta birostris ( Wulbiium) Jordan & Gilbert. 



{Ceratoptcra vaiiipyrKu Auct.) 

 We are informed on good authority that one or more individuals of 

 tliis gigantic species have been taken by whalers near San Diego. 



Family OHIM^RIDJ^. 



39. Chiniaera colliaei Bennett — Rat-Jisli. 



From Monterey northward ; extremely abundant everywhere along the 

 coast in deej) bays. It feeds on tish, etc., and takes the hook very 

 readily. It lays its eggs in July, the egg-cases being long and slender, 

 without tentacles. It reaches a length of nearly 2 feet and a weight of 

 <i to 8 pounds. It is not used for any purpose. The liver is extremely 

 large and fat, and it is said that the oil it yields is superior to any sort 

 of shark-oil, but the fish is too small for its pursuit to be profitable. 



FamUy AOIPENSEEID.^. 



40. Acipenser transuiontanus Eichardson. — White Sturgeon; Common Stunjeou. 



{Acijievser bnichi/rhi/nchus and acutirosiris Ayres.) 



Common in the bays and large rivers from San Francisco northward, 

 great numbers being taken in the Sacramento, Columbia, and Frazer's 

 Rivers. It feeds on Crustacea, etc., and in Frazer's River gorges itself 

 on the eulachon. It runs up the rivers with the salmon in the spring, 

 and probably spawns in the summer. It reaches a length of 8 to 15 feet 

 and a weight probably of 300 to 400 pounds. It is largely used as food, 

 although very cheap. In the restaurants it is usually called " sea-bass". 

 Many sturgeons are smoked and caviar is made from the roe. 



41. Acipenser niedirostris Ayres. — G7'een Sturgeon. 



{Acipenser acutiroalris Gthr. non Ayres.) 



This species is found in the same waters as the preceding, but is much 

 less abundant. It reaches probably a similar size. It is not used as 

 food, being reputed "poisonous" by the fishermen. Seen by us at San 

 Francisco and Astoria. 



Family MURiEXID.J]:. 



42. Muraena mordax Ayres. — Conger Eel; Congaree. 



From Point Concepciou southward; abundant about all the Santa 

 Barbara Islands. It lives among rocks near low-tide mark and takes 

 the hook readily. It may sometimes be found on land at low tide. It 

 is extremely pugnacious, "striking from the shoulder" like a snake. It 

 reaches a length of about 5 feet and a weight of 15 to 20 pounds. It is 

 used as food and the ilcsh is very fat, resembling that of Aiuiuilla. Its 

 skin is said to be poisonous ("very pizen") by the fisherman. 



