22 



fish belong to three of these, namely: Chirus and Ophiodon to the 

 Chiridse, Sebastichthys, and Sebastodes to the Scorposnidos and Scorpce- 

 niddhys to the Cottidx or Sculpins. The members of the genus Chi- 

 rus may be readily distinguished from the others by their compara- 

 tive smoothness, and the presence of several lateral lines of pores. 

 Sebastichthys and Sebastodeslhave an armature of spines upon the top 

 of the head and the edge of the preoperculum, and thirteen spines in 

 the dorsal fin ; Ophiodon has small scales, a smooth head, a scarcely 

 spinous preoperculum, and twenty-six dorsal spines; while Scoiyos- 

 nichtliys, like most of the species of the family Cottidse, is scaleless 

 and has a depressed head with various spines and flaps. The flesh 

 of these flshes is firm and nutritious, but rather dry, lacking the del- 

 icacy of some of the Pleuronedidse and the richness of the salmon. 

 Several of these species were described by Dr. Ayres, in the Pro- 

 ceedings of the California Academy of Science, volumes 1 and 2; 

 and although, in some cases, his notes are antedated by those of Girard 

 Pacific Railroad Report, volume 10, the Californian naturalist may 

 still claim to be the first to introduce six of them to the scientific 

 world. Two species observed by Dr. Ayres I have not yet observed 

 in the markets ; these are Sebastichthys elongatus and Sebastichthys ova- 

 lis. The first I am acquainted with only by the specimens in the 

 Museum of the California Academy of Science; the second I have 

 not yet recognized. 



CHIRID^. 



All the fishes of this family have small scales, ctenoid or cycloid, a long, continuous dorsal,. 

 or two dorsals, and an elongated, rather compressed form. The head is spineless. Exclusively 

 marine. 



Chirus constellatus, Girard, Constellated ; Chirus c/uttatus, Girard, 

 Spotted — The fishes of this genus appear in the market in greater 

 or less abundance throughout the v/hole of the winter, spring and 

 summer. They are usually taken in the bay. Many of the fisher- 

 men and dealers call these fishes sea trout; others do not distin- 

 guish them from the various species of Sebastichthys — the names of 

 rock-fish or rock-cod serving alike for all. Constellatus may be 

 known by the more or less perfect circles of small round spots, 

 inclosing a lighter area, that diversify its sides, while C. guttcUus is 

 covered with small yellow blotches, sometimes arranged in irregular 

 rows. These light blotches become darker on exposure to the air. 

 Constellatus may also be distinguished by the spotted pectoral fin. 

 C. pictus, the painted sea trout, is not so often seen as the two pre- 

 viously mentioned, although it is taken in the bay. C. nebidosus is 

 also sometimes brought to market, as the Academy of Sciences pos- 

 sesses a specimen bought there. C. pictus may be identified by the 

 rich reddish-brown spots and blue cloudings upon its sides, and by 

 the pectorals, alternately barred light and dark. C nebidosus is 

 dark above, lighter below, the two colors showing a tendency to form 

 bands on the sides. All these fishes are peculiar in having several 

 lateral lines along the sides instead of one, as is usual among fishes. 

 The length of full-grown individuals is from twelve to sixteen 

 inches. 



Ophiodon elongatus, Girard, Green Rock-cod — This is one of the 

 largest and commonest of our marketable fishes, attaining a length 

 of over three or even four feet, and is usually in great part of a 

 lively green color, spotted or clouded with light brown. But the 



