49 



As in the Cyprinodonts, there is no adipose dorsal fin, and the 

 dorsal and anal are placed far back upon the caudal part of the body. 



Belone exilis — Needle-fish, Gar-fish. In summer, this species fre- 

 quents bays and lagoons along the coast from Santa Barbara south- 

 ward, for the purpose of spawning, but it is not common. It reaches 

 a length of two and a half feet, and is esteemed as food. 



Exoccetus caUfornicus, Flying-fish, Volador — Professor Jordan has 

 found this species abundant along the southern part of our coast, as 

 far north as Santa Cruz. It is particularly common in Santa Barbara 

 Cliannel, and about Santa Catalina Island. It goes in great schools. 

 Respecting its habits, the following is quoted from the MS. of Pro- 

 fessor Jordan: 



" The Flying-fish flies for a quarter of a mile, not rising more than 

 three or four feet above the surface. Its motive power is given by 

 rapid movements of its powerful tail in the water, which movements 

 are continued after the body is out of the water and the pectorals 

 spread. When the tail is out of tlie water, the ventral fins are also 

 spread out, and the motions of the pectorals cease. Its motion is 

 then very swift, and in a straight line, which afterwards becomes a 

 curve by the partial turning over of the body, one wing being placed 

 partly against the wind. Motion is often renewed by putting the tail 

 once more in the water, as the fish falls so as to touch it. It is to 

 some extent able to shy off from a vessel. In the water its move- 

 ments are very rapid. It reaches a length of fifteen inches and a 

 weight of a pound and a half or more, and is considered excellent 

 food. It spawns about the beginning of August, which is the cause 

 of its visit to the coast. Large numbers are taken in seines and gill 

 nets oft' Catalina Island. Nine-tenths of those seen in July were 

 males." 



FAM. SALMONIDyE — SALMON AND TROUT. 



The salmon and trout, once reported to be so numerous in species, 

 are gradually becoming fewer as examination is made of the same 

 species at different seasons of the year, in salt and fresh water, and at 

 the various periods of its life. 



The long list of anadromous salmon {Oncorhynclms) is now by the 

 researches of Professor Jordan and Mr. Gilbert, reduced to six, which 

 bear the provisional names of nerka, gorbuscha, quinnat, kisutch, keta, 

 and kennerlyi. 



These names are provisional because some, if not all, of the species 

 not only occur upon the Pacific Coast, U. S. A., but extend north- 

 wards to Behring's Straits, and down the opposite coast of Kam- 

 tschatka. They are thus probably identical with some or other of 

 the species previously described from the coast of Asia. 



The various species of salmon and trout are subject to great varia- 

 tions in consequence of change of habit, as well as to others caused 

 by age, sex, and season ; and tliese changes have been the cause of 

 the excessive multiplication of nominal species. Salmon, when in 

 the sea, are of a silvery, steely, or bluish tint, darkest upon the back. 

 When in the river, the silvery tint is lost and the flesh also becomes 

 lighter. The young of all the species are cross-barred with darker 

 tints which disappear with age. The form and proportions of the 

 body are also, in the anadromous species, liable to change, as also 



those of the fins. Neither can comparative size be depended upon. 



72 



