41 



under the name of Orcynus pacificus, by Cooper in 1863 (Proc. Acad. 

 Nat. Sci. Ill, 75), but Professor Jordan considers, from examination 

 of fresh specimens, that it is identical with the well known Thynnus 

 (Orcynus) alalonga of the Mediterranean and Atlantic, the alalonga 

 or long-wing of the Italians. There is no mistaking the fish for any 

 other found upon our coast, Its long pectoral fin, reaching a consid- 

 erable distance beyond the second dorsal fin, is a distinctive mark 

 which none can overlook. The first dorsal is long, and has fourteen 

 spines, while the second, of twelve soft rays, is followed by eight 

 finlets, or separate rays, each with a membrane attached. The anal 

 has eight separate finiets. In color it is steel blue upon the sides, 

 becoming blackish above, and silvery white below. 



It occurs in the Bay of Monterey in the later months of summer; 

 is brought occasionally to San Francisco market, and becomes abun- 

 dant farther southward, notably among the islands of the Santa Bar- 

 bara channel. It affords excellent sport, being caught by trolling 

 while sailing very rapidly, and biting voraciously at a white rag. 

 Those brought to the markets of San Francisco were caught from the 

 d( ck of a "\4essel. 



It frequents deeper water than the bonito, and in Santa Barbara 

 channel is rarely taken within six miles of the shore. 



Like the bonito, it \\^-<\^ chiefly on anchovy and squid, but is occa- 

 sionally taken with rare deep water fishes in its stomach. 



It readies greater weight, is comparatively deeper in form than the 

 bonito, and is less valued even than that fish. 



Another species of Orcynus, probably O. j^hunyx, also a Mediter- 

 ranean species, is known to occur on our coast ; and a dolphin 

 (Coryphmna) specie- unknown, is known from an individual once 

 washed ashore at Cayucos Landing. 



FAM. J.AUKIIU:. 



The Labridse, or Wrasse family, a numerous tribe of fishes, is but 

 poorly represented upon the coast of California, where its place is to 

 a great extent rilled by the Embiotocidae, or viviparous perch. The 

 Labridse have a single dorsal, the spinous portion of which is at least 

 as much developed as the soft, and are covered with cycloid scales of 

 moderate or large size. The lips, as the name indicates, are largely 

 developed, and the mouth is capable of great protraction, the length 

 of the ascending processes of the intermaxillaries, or upper jaw 

 bones, permitting much forward movement. 



Many of the fishes of this family are beautifully colored, and most 

 of them attain dimensions that render them valuable as food fishes. 



The Labridse live largely upon mollusks, and some are more or 

 less herbivorous. 



Pimelometopon pulcher, first described by Dr. W. O. Ayres, under 

 the more pronouncable name of Labrus pulcher, is, as its name im- 

 plies, a highly colored fish. Its chief adornment consists of a bright 

 red band extending across the body from the head to a perpendicu- 

 lar from the anus, contrasting strongly with the black head and 

 hinder portions of the body.^ This is one of those species which 

 prove that it will not do to attach too much importance to compara- 

 tive proportions of depth to length, since the depth and thickness of 

 the front portion of the body increases with age so much, that one of 

 6 2 



