46 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



Family STEOMATEIDJ^. 



92. Stromateus simillimiis Ayres. — romimtto. 



Entii'e coastj common, but most abundant tiom Santa Barbara to San 

 J^^rancisco. Its movements on the coast are very irregular. ]t is usually 

 scarce in winter everywhere, and it is said that it was formeily mttch 

 li'ss abundant than now. It is taken in seines, and also by hook and 

 line or grab-hook from the wharves. It is usually esteemed as the best 

 ])an-fish on the coast, and always brings a high price — 25 to 50 cents per 

 ])0und. It reaches a length of 8 inches and a weight of little more than 

 half a pound. 



Family CARAXGID^. 



93. Seriola lalaxidi Cuvier »fc Valencionucs. — Yellow 'rail; IVIdte Salmo)i; Cavasina. 



(Seriola mazatlana Steindaclmer. ) 



Only aboitt the Santa Barbara and Coronados Islands, M^here it is 

 abundant in summer, spawning in July and August} not seen in winter. 

 It is taken by trolling only. As a fresh fish it ranks high. When salted 

 it is graded as l)est, with Belaya and Spliyrwna. It feeds on squid and 

 variotis small fishes, and reaches a weight of 40 to 50 pounds and a 

 length of 4 to 5 feet. The "horse-mackerel, Halatractun dorsaUs^\ re- 

 lerred to by Dr. Cooper in Cronise's Natural Wealth of California, is 

 undoubtedly the present species. 



94. Caranx caballus Giinther. 



(Trachurus toops Grd.) 



Only the original type of Girard's description has been taken on our 

 coast. 



95. Trachurus plumierianus (Lacepede) J. dc G. — Horse Mackerel. 



(Trachnrns frachnrns Giinther; Trachurus synimetricus Ayres.) 

 Very abundant in sutnmer as far north as Monterey. It is taken in 

 seines in large numbers and used chiefiy for bait. Many of them are 

 salted for this purpose. It reaches a length of about a foot and a weight 

 of less than a pound. 



Specimens of this species from Monterey and from Venice are not ob- 

 viously different. The individual Aariations in the curvature of the lat- 

 eral line are considerable. 



Family SERRANID^. 



96. Serranus maculofasciatus Steindachuer. — Cabrilla : Rock Cod; Hock Bass. 

 San Pedro to San Diego and southward; abundant in the bays, 



especially at San Diego, where many are taken in seines, and with hook 

 and line from the wharves. Not seen northward- and not found in deep 

 water or about the islands. It feeds chieiiy on crustaceans and squid. 

 It reaches a length of about 15 inches and a av eight of 2 or 3 pounds, 

 and is considered an excellent food-tish. 



