ZOOLOGY. 413 



cept by ichthyologists. Both are small, from four to six inches 

 long, very delicate in flavor, but very bony. They are fully 

 equal to the European anchovy for the table. They feed on 

 minute animalculse, go in shoals, and are caught with nets in 

 the bays at all seasons of the year. 



339. Sardine and Herring. The sardine (Meletta cent- 

 led) is abundant from Humboldt Bay to San Diego. It grows 

 to a length of eight or nine inches, and is therefore much larger 

 than the Mediterranean sardine, to which it is fully equal in 

 flavor. It is found along the coast from April to October, and 

 is caught in the bays with nets. 



The herring (Clupea mirabilis) is not so abundant as the 

 Atlantic species, nor so large, but is equal in flavor. It comes 

 in the spring, and goes in the autumn. 



340. Viviparous Fishes. The viviparous or embiotocoid 

 fishes of this Coast are a peculiar feature of its ichthyology. 

 They constitute, perhaps, the most remarkable natural group 

 of fishes in the world, and their discovery caused a marked 

 sensation among zoologists. Other viviparous fishes have been 

 previously known, but their young are brought forth in a very 

 immature condition ; whereas the little embiotocoid fishes are 

 born with a fullness of development similar to that of warm- 

 blooded animals, and the moment after they leave the mother 

 they are seen swimming about and taking care of themselves. 

 There are seventeen or eighteen species belonging to the sev- 

 eral genera, among which the embiotoca and holconotis are 

 prominent. All are marine fishes save one, which is found in 

 fresh water. They weigh from half a pound to three pounds, 

 and most of them are grayish brown above and silvery be- 

 neath. They are abundant in the market at all seasons of the 

 year, and are called " perch " by the fishermen, -though they 

 bear no relationship to the true perch. The meat is not good. 

 The young are born from April to August. 



341. Flying-Fish. The California!! flying-fish, (Exoce- 

 tus californicus) found off our coast from Santa Cruz to San 



