THE FISHES OF ALASKA. 287 



The red rockfish is one of the largest of the family. It attains a length of more than 2 feet and a 

 weight of many pounds. As a food fish it is of considerable importanee, the flesh being fairly firm and 

 of good flavor, and it takes the baited hook freely and possesses some game qualities. It is known to 

 occur from San Diego to Boca de Quadra and Loring in boutheast Alaska in moderate depths. 



84. Sebastodes rosaceus (Girard). Orange-red Rockfish. 



Two specimens (no. 2822 and 2823), 5.2 and 9 inches long, seined near Marrowstone Point, .lune 29, 

 and 1 example (paper tag no. 105), 9.5 inches long, collected by the Albatross at station 2887, off the 

 coast of Oregon, October 19, 1888. 



The membranes of the dorsal and anal iins are deeply incised, being very different from all other 

 species with which we are acquainted. In the soft dorsal and anal the interradial membranes do not 

 reach more than two-hfths of the length of the rays. We have compared our specimens with 9 othei-s 

 from Santa Barbara and find that some of the latter show the same structure, though the majority show 

 little or no incision of these membranes. 



This species reaches a length of a foot or more and is a good pan fish. Its range extends from San 

 Diego to Puget Sound. 



85. Sebastodes rupestris (Gilbert). 



The collection contains 3 specimens 4.75 to 6 inches long (nos. 290G-S) from station 4253, in Stephens 

 Passage, and one 6 inches long from station 4231 in Behm Canal. The last specimen has 14 spines in 

 the dorsal, but in all other respects it agrees with the other specimens. Maxillary in all three specimens 

 reaches to posterior margin of pupil; gillrakers 9 +10 ( +4 tubercles), more numerous than usually given 

 in descriptions. 



Comparison of our specimens with the types shows no imporant differences. The black on the fins 

 in the types has faded, while in ours it is still very distinct. Ours also have a large dark opercular spot 

 not mentioned in the description of the types. We have also compared our specimens with the types of 

 Sebastichthys aurora and find them to agree fully. We are unable to discover any characters by means 

 of which they can be distinguished, and are therefore compelled to unite these two nominal species. 

 5. rupestris as here understood ranges from the Santa Barbara Islands northward to Southeast Alaska 

 (Stephens Passage and Behm Canal). 



Sebastichthys rupestris Gilbert, Proc. V. S. Nat. Mus.. xni, 1890 (Juiy 1), 7f;, .\lbatross station 2946, in 1.50 fathoms 



off southern California. 

 Seba.iiiclithiis aurora Gilbert . Proc. U. S. Nat Mus.. xiii. 1890 (Julv li, 80. .\lbatross stations 2948 and 2900. in 200 and 



207 fathoms, oflF southern California. 



86. Sebastodes daUi (Eigenmann & Beeson). 



A single specimen (no. 2820), 8 inches long, taken on hook at Union Bay. June 23. It appears to 

 ■ agree with S. dalU, except that the maxillary is closely scaled on the posterior half. 



Gillrakers 7 + 18, longest 2 in eye, the first 5 on th? short limb blunt and rough-tubercular, the last 

 8 on the long arm similar. Scales Gl or G2. about 45 in oblique series along lower portion of side; head 

 3; depth 3; eye 4.5; snout 4.5; interorbital a little less than eye. 



Dorsal 13; anal 6: dorsal spines 1.75 in head; nasal, postocular, preocular. tympanic, and parietal 

 spines present; coronal spine on right side and nuchal spine on right side present; a small humeral spine 

 present; preorbital with one broad spine. Mandible naked; maxillary closely scaled on posterior half. 



The only specimens previously known are the type (from San Francisco) and another from Vancouver 

 Island. 



87. Sebastodes caurinus (Richardson). 



We have 15 specimens 2 to 5.5 inches long collected by Osgood and Heller at Queen Charlotte 

 Island, July, 1900; one specimen (no. 1820), 10.5 inches long, collected in 1895 in Klemtoo Harbor; one 

 11.5 inches long ol^tained by the Albatross at Sitka in 1896; one 9.5 inches long by Luttrell at Sitka; one 

 20 inches long collected at station 3449, off Washington; 19 specimens collected near Seattle in 1903 by 



