PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 47 



97. Serranus nebulifer (Grcl.) Steind. — Johnny Verde; Cabrilla; Rock Bass. 

 From Monterey Bay southward-, common about San Pedro and in 



San Diego Bay with the preceding. It reaches a length of 18 inches 

 and a weight of 3 to 4 pounds, and is considered a good food-fish. 



98. Serranus clathratus (Grd.) Steiud.—Crt&HZZn; Bode Bass; Kelp Salmon. 

 From San Francisco southward ; very abundant south of Point Con- 



cepcion. One of the most common food-fishes about the islands. It 

 feeds on Crustacea and squid, and is found in not very deep water, 

 chiefly about rocks. It reaches a length of 18 inches and a weight of 

 about 5 pounds. It is considered one of the better class of food-fishes. 

 It is not often split and salted. 



99. Stereolepis gigas Ayres. — Jew-Jish; Blade Sea Bass. 



From the Farallones southward, chiefly about the islands; not rare, 

 but from its great size not very often taken. Taken by still-fishing, not 

 by trolling. It attains a weight of 400 to 500 pounds. Often taken by 

 swallowing white fish, etc., when the latter are on the hook. 



Family PEISTIPOMATID^. 



100. Xenichthys califoriiiensia Steind. 



Described from San Diego. No specimens obtained by us. 



101. Pristipoma davidsoni Steindachner. — Sargo. 



San Pedro to San Diego; not common. Four seen by us at San Pedro. 

 Probably only taken in summer, and then in small numbers. Feeds on 

 Crustacea. Beaches a length of somewhat more than a foot. 



Family SPAEID^. 



102. Scorpis californiensis Steindachner. — Media-luna; Half-moon. 



Santa Barbara Islands and southward. Especially abundant about 

 Catalina, where it is one of the principal food fishes, being taken in 

 great numbers in gill-nets. Eare at Santa Cruz Island, and probably 

 not found northward. One in the Museum of the California Academy 

 said to come from Tomales Bay. Feeds chiefly on Crustacea. It reaches 

 a length of about a foot and a weight of 3 pounds. It is not often dried, 

 but ranks high as a j)an-fish. 



103. Girella nigricans CAyres) Gill. — BIne-ftsh. 



From Monterey southward; abundant about the Santa Barbara 

 Islands, where it is an important food fish. Taken chiefly in gill-nets. 

 It is .entirely herbivorous. It is very tenacious of life, but begins to 

 soften soon after death. It reaches a length of about a foot and a 

 weight of 4 pounds. It is considered a fair pan-fish. 



