32 



its small mouth and peculiar habits it is seldom taken excepl in dip- 

 nets baited with crushed cralis. [ts range extends northward beyond 

 ( lalifomia. 



Chirus pictus, Painted Sea Trout — This species is not at all com- 

 mon in the San Francisco market, hut heromes more abundant in 

 higher latitudes. It is often beautifully colored when fresh with 

 blotches of bright green upon a dark brown ground. In alcohol 

 these blotches become purple. In size, quality, and food it is identi- 

 cal with the next species. 



Chirus decagrammus, Bodieron, Sea Trout, Boregat — It has always 

 been supposed that Chirus guttatus, which is covered with yellow 

 roundish spots upon a bluish gray ground, was perfectly distinct 

 from Chirus constellatus, which has more or less perfect circlets of 

 dark spots surrounding areas of a brighter blue than the rest of 

 the body; but Professor Jordan has examined numerous specimens 

 of both forms, and finds that all the constellatus are male, while all 

 the guttatus are female. The two forms always occur together, and 

 in about equal numbers, and the fishermen consider them identi- 

 cal. Professor Jordan believes that both names will have to give 

 place to Ch irus decagrammus, Pallas, which isprobably the same species, 

 as surmised long ago by Dr. A. Gunther. This species is everywhere 

 moderately common from San Luis Obispo northward, especially in 

 Monterey Bay. It is also common in San Francisco Bay, and abun- 

 dant in the markets throughout the year. It feeds chiefly on Crusta- 

 cea and worms, and spawns in July. It is a tolerably good food fish, 

 but inferior to the rock cod or green cod (Opldodon). 



It dies very soon after it is taken from the water, and the flesh 

 softens very quickly. It reaches two or three pounds in weight. 



A form with longitudinal series of yellowish blotches along the 

 sides, once believed by me to be distinct, will probably prove to be 

 only a variety of the female. 



This form is described in the Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 1880, 55. 



Anoplopoma fimbria, Candle Fish — This, though essentially a 

 northern form, occurs along the coast as far south as Monterey. 

 Until recently, it has been rare in the markets of San Francisco, 

 but last year' it was present in tolerable quantity, and during the 

 present year (1880) may be almost called common. At Seattle it is 

 very abundant, and is taken with hook and line from the wharves. 

 At Monterey the Chinese take it with hook and line, while those 

 caught outside San Francisco Bay are taken with sweep nets. It 

 feeds on Crustacea, worms, and small fishes, and reaches a length of 

 twenty inches, and a weight of four to five pounds. This is not 

 greatly esteemed as a food fish, but is sometimes fraudulently sold 

 as Spanish mackerel. 



Zaniolepis latipinnis, Long-finned Zany — As this fish has no ver- 

 nacular title, and is not sufficiently common to acquire one from the 

 fishermen, that given above is suggested. Though of no importance 

 as a food fish, its singular appearance merits notice. In color, it is 

 greenish-yellow, with blackish dots and bars upon the fins, and the 

 surface of the skin is covered with prickles. These prickles are 

 comb-like points radiating from scales that are buried in the skin. 

 The first dorsal spine is long, the second longer, projecting far beyond 

 the others, and often equal in length to half that of the fish. It does 

 not exceed a foot in length. 



Ophiodon elongatus, Buffalo Cod, Green Cod, Ln.— This has the 



