TIIK KOCK CODS OF Till: PACIFIC. 



If then exa ninotl, the two eyes of I ho young fish can be distinctly seen. I.; tier a slender body 

 appears, with traces of vertical tins, tho length then being about one-fourth to one-third of an inch. 

 They ;iro probaMx extruded at :ilnnit ilir length of one-third of mi inch, and in a very slender and 

 l>elluc:d ciniiliiiiiii. as I have never soon them in anymore advanced stage of development. Noth- 

 ing is Known of the modes of copulation, nor of the circumstances under which the young are 

 exoluili <!, lint the time of breeding is probably for the most part in May. Young fishes of one and 

 a hall ii> two inches are common in August, and in the fall they are large enough (S. panciitpinis, 

 flu rid UK) to be taken with hook and line from the wharves. Individuals of less than six or 

 eight inches are rare in the spring, and the fish of that length are probably a year old. 



Tho enemies of these fishes are of course their predatory neighbors, and the larger individ- 

 uals prey upon the smaller. The hag-fish (Polistotremn) destroys considerable numbers. They are 

 usually very free from internal parasites. 



All the members of this family rank high as food-fishes. The flesh is firm and white, and, 

 although not very delicate, is of a fair quality. That of Scorpama guttata is probably best; that of 

 s,'l><txtichthy>< myxtinux brings the lowest price in market, but the prejudice against the latter species 

 perhaps rests on its color. 



s< ORPENE (Scorptrna guttata Girard). This species is known by the names "Scorpene," "Scor- 

 pion," and " Sculpin." "Scorpene" (Scorjrina), in common use among the Italian fishermen, is, 

 <f course, the name of Scorpa'na porcus, S'. scrofa, and other Mediterranean fishes, transferred to 

 this very similar North American fish. The wound made by the dorsal spines of this fish is 

 excessively painful, far more so than the sting of a bee, as though the spines had some venomous 

 secretion. The name Scorpccna, is evidently derived from this. This species reaches a length of 

 something over a foot and a weight of about two pounds. It is found only from Point Concepcion 

 south ward to Ascension Island, living about rocks and kelp, but often entering the bays. It is 

 generally common, and takes the hook freely. It feeds upon Crustacea and small fishes, and spawns 

 in spring. Nothing distinctive is known of its breeding habits. As a food-fish it ranks with the 

 Nest, being superior to the sjieeies of Selaxtichthys, and it always is in good demand wJere known. 



BLACK-BANDED ROCK-FISH (Sebantichthyii nigrocinctun (Ayres) Gill). This species has, so far 

 as we know, received no distinctive name from the fishermen. It reaches a weight of about four 

 pounds and a length of eighteen to twenty inches. It ranges from Monterey northward, being 

 found only in deep water (ten to twenty fathoms). About San Francisco it is exceedingly rare, not 

 half a dozen usually coming into the markets in a year. In the Straits of Fuca and outside in the 

 open ocean it is tolerably abundant. The food and the breeding habits, so far as known, differ 

 little in this family, and the general remarks on the group apply to all the species of Selxwtichthyx. 

 A - a food-fish this species sells readily on account of its brilliant and attractive colors, second only 

 in brilliancy to those of the "Spanish Flag." 



TKEE-FISH (Nebattichthy* serriceps Jor. & Gilb.). Wherever this species receives a distinctive 

 name, it is known as the "Tree-fish," an appellation originating with the Portuguese at Monterey, 

 and without obvious application. Southward it is confounded with other species as a Garrupa. 

 Its size is rather less than that of S. nigrocinctux, which it much resembles. It ranges from San 

 Martin Island to San Francisco, being found in rather deep water among rocks. It is most 

 common about the Santa Barbara Islands and is rare in the markets of San Francisco. It is a 

 handsomely-colored species, and therefore sells well in the markets. 



SPECKLED GAERUPA (Sebaxtichthyx nebulomts (Ayres) Gill). This species is known as "Gar- 

 ni pa" and "Rock Cod," rarely receiving any distinctive name. It reaches a weight of throe and 

 one-half pounds. It ranges from Monterey to Puget Sound, being generally common at all points, 



