166 FISHERIES OF THE NORTH SEA 



known to science. In a short time he had boated 

 over 5000 Ibs. of them. He caught nothing else. 



The new fish was unusually beautiful. Not unlike 

 the cod in outline, its body was thickly covered with 

 large yellow spots, and the body itself had iridescent 

 tints similar to the weak fish. On its back was a 

 fleshy fin very like that of the salmon, but located 

 in front of instead of behind the dorsal. On the 

 cheeks were vari-coloured tile-shaped marks. 



Knowing nothing of the fish, Captain Kirby threw 

 overboard most of his catch. He regretted it, however, 

 for on his return and testing the fish, it was found to 

 be of the highest food quality and a good keeper. 

 Specimens were sent to Washington, where it was 

 found that the fish was not only a new species, but of 

 an entirely new family. It was given the family 

 name of Latilidse and the generic or tribal name of 

 Lopholatilus and the specific name of chamaleonti- 

 ceps. The popular name of tile-fish was also be- 

 stowed by Washington on account of the tile-like 

 markings on the head. 



The tile-fish achieved immediate popularity with the 

 public. Huge quantities were brought into the 

 market and promptly sold. It became one of the 

 most important and most sought for food fish in 

 the Boston and New York markets. The supply 

 continued abundant for nearly three years, then one 

 day early in the spring of 1882 the boats that went 

 out to the fishing grounds failed to catch a single 

 tile-fish. This was the more mysterious, since on the 

 previous trip the boats had returned heavily laden 

 with them. 



