34 



Chriomitra concolor, Lockington — lu October and November of the 

 past year, my attention was drawn to a Scomberoid which somewhat 

 resembled the Pelamys (Sarda) lineolata of Girard, but examination 

 proved not only that it was not that species but that, on account of 

 the absence of a corselet, or patch of large scales behind the pectoral 

 fin, and the want of teeth on the vomer, or palatines, it must be made 

 the type of a distinct genus. 



Very few of these fishes were brought in during the autumn — by 

 no means sufficient to supply the demand, for it is in great repute 

 among rich gastronomists, and fetches a high price. Its flesh is said 

 to be far firmer and better than that of Sarda lineolata, from wliich it 

 may be readily distinguished by the characters mentioned above, 

 but also by the absence of the darker, oblique streaks which diver- 

 sify the flanks of the latter fish. Although most of the individuals 

 sold here are brought from Monterey, I am informed that stragglers 

 have been caught as far north as Tomales. Those which I have seen 

 have averaged about two feet in total length to the tip of the caudal 

 lobes. There are seven or eight finlets behind the dorsal, and eight 

 behind the anal fin. There are seldom more than two or three of 

 this species in the markets at once. 



Poronotus simillimus, Ayres, Pompino — This species was first 

 described by Dr. Ayres (Proceedings California Academy, vol. 2., 

 page 84, figure on page 85) in December, 1860, and accompanied by a 

 tolerable outline figure. Dr. Ayres states that in the course of seven 

 years he only saw three or four specimens ; but this year at least it 

 is far more abundant, as I have seen as many as thirty or forty on 

 the same stall on many occasions. As with the other Scomberoids, 

 the examples brought to this market are usually caught in Monterey 

 Bay, which appears to form the northern limit of many species of 

 fishes, Crustacea, and echinoderms. The Italian fishermen call this 

 species " pompino," and this must be accepted, in the absence of any 

 other, as its English name. I am informed that a fish called 

 *' pompino," on the Atlantic coast, is considered to be the most deli- 

 cate of all fishes. This is Trachynotiis carolinus, a very different 

 species. Our " pompino " is also highly prized as a delicate morsel, 

 and is one of the dearest fishes in the market. This species has been 

 more or less abundant throughout the whole of the winter and 

 spring, but during part of the time the catch has been principally 

 composed of very small individuals, not above three or four inches 

 long, which certainly should not have been caught at all. Most of 

 these small ones are, if I have been rightly informed, taken in the 

 Bay of San Francisco, to which this species is an occasional visitant, 

 and the high price the species commands tempts the fishermen to 

 catch all they can find. An adult pompino measures from eight to 

 ten inches in length. This fish may be identified at once by the 

 total absence of ventral fins, while its thin, broad, oval body, bright 

 steely color, and dorsal fin with only a single spine, are other con- 

 spicuous features. It is covered with rather small, smooth scales. 



Trachurus symmetricus, Ayres, Horse-mackerel — Authorities differ as 

 to whether this fish is peculiar to this coast or is identical with 

 the Trachurus trachurus of Linnaeus. Dr. Giinther identifies it with 

 the latter, thus making it identical with the European horse-mack- 

 erel, which, if his view is correct, is a widespread form, common to 

 both great oceans. Professor Gill does not agree with this view. He 

 says (Proceedings Academy of Natural Science, Philadelphia, 1862, p. 



