25 



smooth surface of the head in SebastichtJtys pinniger distinguishes it 

 as readily from the same species. 



SebasticJithys auriculatus, Girard, Bhick-shouldered Rock-cod — 

 This is rather a small species, seldom exceeding eighteen inches in 

 length, and is hrought to the markets in great abundance, probably 

 on account of its common occurrence in the bay. Not only does this 

 species occur, together with two or three others of the smaller kinds 

 oi SebasticJdJiys, and the young of the larger kinds, in the deeper por- 

 tions of the bay near the entrance, but it is also abundant along the 

 eastern shore of the bay where no other species of the genus is found, 

 l^robabh^ on account of the admixture of fresh water from the Sacra- 

 mento River. This fish can always be distinguished by a black mark 

 upon each of the gill-covers, very obvious in the younger fish, and 

 sufficiently distinct, though less clearly outlined, in older specimens. 

 The general color is a dull reddish brown with cloudings of a darker 

 tint upon the back and sides; these cloudings, like the black spot 

 before mentioned, becoming more diffused and indistinct with 

 increasing size and age. This is another of the kinds which must 

 eventually become scarcer, unless some means be taken to prevent 

 waste. Small individuals, four to six inches long, are brought to 

 market in great numbers from various parts of the bay. 



The lower jaw in SebasticJUliys auriculatus projects but slightly, con- 

 trasting broadly with that of flavidus, and most of the other species 

 of the genus. 



SebasticJithys nebulosus, Ayres, Clouded Rock-cod — This is one of 

 the smallest of our rock-fish, yet is heavier by far than individuals 

 of other species of equal length, on account of the stoutness of its 

 form. It seldom attains a length of more than eleven or twelve 

 inches, though it occasionally reaches eighteen inches, and seven 

 pounds is the greatest weight ever attributed to it. Some of the 

 specimens have a broad yellow band along each side, and are also 

 adorned with yellow blotches of variable form and size; but in others 

 this band, which doubtless suggested to Girard his name of fascia- 

 tus, is absent, and the dark and light tints of the sides are mingled 

 together without any approach to regularity or beauty. In this 

 species the lower jaw does not project as in most of its tribe, but is 

 even with the upper. It is one of the most abundant of the rock- 

 fish. 



Sebastodes 2^ciucis2nnis, Girard, Gill, Small-scaled Rock-fish — This 

 species may readily be distinguished from all the species of Sebas- 

 ticJitJtys by the smaller size of the scales, as well as by the straight 

 dorsal outline and the extreme elongation of the lower jaw, the tip 

 of which extends upwards to the line at the top of the head, and 

 forms part of its upper outline. The spines upon the head are very 

 little developed. This is one of the rarest of our food fishes, occur- 

 ring in our markets only at considerable intervals, and in small 

 numbers. In color it is reddish brown on the back, as well as on 

 the dorsal and caudal fins; the tint becoming lighter but more decid- 

 edly red on the sides and abdomen. In size it exceeds many of its 

 relations, as most of those brought to market reach or exceed two 

 feet in length. 



