44 PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 



79. Atherinopsi3 californiensis Girard. — Common Smelt. 



From Cape Meudocino southward; very abundant, being taken with 

 the seine in great numbers in all open bays. It is also often taken by 

 trolling with a small hook. It reaches a length of about 18 inches, and 

 is one of the most important food-fishes on the coast. Its flesh is firm, 

 white, and delicate, but rather dry. The genus Atherinopsis is distin- 

 guished by its non-protractile premaxillaries. 



Family SPHYR^NID^. 



80. Sphyrasna argentea Girard. — Barracuda; Barracuta. 



Abundant in summer from San Francisco southward, especially about 

 Monterey (Soquel) and the Santa Barbara Islands. The chief run is in 

 July. It spawns in August, and then disappears, probably retiring into 

 deeper water, or perhajjs mo\'iug southward. It is taken chiefly by 

 trolling at a distance of 3 or more miles from the mainland. About the 

 islands it may be sometimes taken by still-fishing. The young are often 

 taken in seines in winter. It reaches a length of about 3 feet and a 

 weight of about 12 ijouuds. It is considered one of the best food-fish, 

 and when salted and dried sells at a higher price than any other, even 

 than the Alaska cod-fish. 



Family AMMODYTID^. 



81. Ammodytes personatus Girard. — SandLant; Sand Lance. 



Abundant along sandy shores from Monterey to Alaska. Found in 

 immense schools in Puget Sound. It burrows in the sand between tide- 

 marks. It reaches a length of 5 or G inches, and is sometimes taken for 

 bait. 



Family ECHENEID^. 



82. Remora jacoboea (Lowe) Gill. 



A single specimen seen in the market at San Francisco. It is proba- 

 bly not uncommon. 



83. Echeneis naucrates L. 



Occasionally taken about San Francisco. 



Family XIPHIID^. 



84. Xiphias gladius Linn^. — Sword-fish; Espada. 



Occasionally seen about Santa Catalina and the Coronados, but never 

 taken, the fishermen having no suitable tackle. One seen by us off 

 Santa Mooica about 8 feet in length. 



Family SCOMBEID^. 



85. Scomber scombrus Linn^. — Eastern Mackerel. 



jS^ot seen by us. Capt. Charles Willughby, Indian agent at iNTeah 

 Bay, formerly a mackerel- fisher in Massachusetts, informs us that he 



