PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 43 



ence to the direction of the wind, and we observed it best from the bow 

 of a steamer off Santa Catalina Island in early morning, when both air 

 and water were free from motion. 



The flying-fish reaches a length of 15 inches and a weight of about li 

 pounds. It is considered an excellent food-fish, and is taken in large 

 numbers off Santa Catalina for the market of Los Angeles. It appears 

 only about the middle of summer, which is its season of spawning. 

 Nine-tenths of those seen by us in July were males. 



73. Hemirhamphus rosae Jordan & Gilbert. 



Eather abundant in San Pedro and San Diego Bays, swimming slowly 

 about uear the surface. It reaches a length of probably not over a foot, 

 and is used for no purpose. 



74. Scomberesox brevirostris Peters. 



One specimen taken in Monterey Bay. Eecorded by Dr. Ayres from 

 Tomales Bay. 



75. Tylosurus exilis (GrcT.) ,1. &. G. — Needle-fish ; Gar-fish. 



From Santa Barbara southward ; rather common in summer, especially 

 in San Diego Bay. It lives in sheltered bays, swimming near the sur- 

 face. It'Spawns in August. It reaches a length of about 2^ feet, and 

 is esteemed a good food-fish. 



Family MUGILID^. 



76. Mugil albiila L. (Mugil inexicanus SteindachneT). — Mullet; Chub. 



From Monterey southward ; very abundant in San Diego Bay. It 

 ascends all creeks and lagoons in winter, and many of them become land- 

 locked and are destroyed by the pelicans. It is said to be spreading 

 northward along the coast, and to have first appeared at San Pedro 

 about three years ago. It reaches a length of about 15 inches, and when 

 taken in clear water is much esteemed. Many of those brought into the 

 market are seined in muddy lagoons, and the flavor of the water is im- 

 parted to the flesh of the mullet. Like other mullets, this species feeds 

 on mud. It is not obviously different from the common mullet of the 

 Atlantic coast. 



Family ATHERINID^. 



77. Leuresthes tenuis (Ayres) Jordan «fc Gilbert. 



Seen at San Diego only; in some parts of the bay occurring in im- 

 mense schools, but not generally common. This is one of the smaller 

 species of the family, reaching a length of rarely more than 4 inches. 



78. Atherinops affiuis (Ayres) Steindacbner. — Little Smelt; Petite Smelt. 



Cape Mendocino southward ; abundant, especially in bays and lagoons, 

 generally preferring more sheltered places than the next species. It 

 reaches a length of about a foot, and is a pan-fish of good quality, hav- 

 ing firm, white flesh, which is rather dry. Many of them are dried by the 

 Chinese. 



