TEE PARROT-FISHES AND THElIt ALLIES. 275 



THE RED-FISH, OF CALIFORNIA. 



This species, Trochocopus pulcher, writes Jordan, is everywhere kuowu as the "Red-fish": the 

 name "Fat-head" is occasionally used, and it is very rarely called " Sheepshead." It reaches a 

 weight of twelve to fifteen pounds. It is found from Point Concepcion southward to Ce.rros Island 

 in enormous numbers in the kelp. It is taken chiefly with hook and line. It feeds ou crustaceans 

 and mollusks. It is taken chiefly by the Chinese, who salt and dry it. It forms half of the total 

 catch of the Chinese south of Point Concepciou. It does not rank high as a food-fish, its flesh 

 being coarse. The fat forehead is said to make excellent chowder. 



THE SENORITA-FISH, OF CALIFORNIA. 



At Monterey, California, this species, Paeudojulis modestus, is known as, " Pescerey " ; south- 

 ward it is called " Seflorita." It reaches a weight of less than half a pound. It is found in the 

 kelp from Monterey southward to Cerros Island, and is generally common. It feeds chiefly on 

 Crustacea. It is used chiefly for bait, although the flesh is said to be of excellent quality. 



THE KELP-FISH, OF CALIFORNIA. 



ThJs species, Platyglossus semicinctus, bears in company with Heterostichus restrains, and 

 perhaps others, the name of "Kelp-fish." It reaches a pound weight, and a length of nearly a 

 foot. It is found in the kelp about Santa Cataliua Island and southward, and is not very abun- 

 dant. It feeds ou Crustacea, and spawns in July. Its flesh is said to be of good quality. 



THE HOG-FISH LACHNOL^IMUS FALOATUS. 



This fish is, according to Mr. Stearns, abundant at Key West and among the Florida coral reefs, 

 although he has not observed it north of the Gulf of Mexico. It there attains a considerable size, 

 and a weight of twelve or fifteen pounds, although the average size is not more than one-fourth 

 that size. In the Key West market it appears almost daily, and is much esteemed for food. This 

 species occurs throughout the West Indies, and is one of the favorite food-fish of Cuba, although 

 its sale is forbidden by law, on account of the supposed poisonous nature of its flesh. In the 

 Bermudas it is one of the most important of the food-fish, attaining sometimes the weight of 

 twenty pounds. It is caught by line-fishermen among the reefs, at a depth of five to forty fathoms. 

 Like the other members of this family, it feeds upon small fish and upon bottom crustaceans and 

 mollusks. Its brilliant red color renders it a conspicuous object in the markets. During the 

 different stages of growth its species undergoes many changes of form, and has been described 

 under several different names. The large adult male is remarkable on account of a heavy black 

 blotch over the forehead and over the eyes. The name " Hog-fish" refers to the swine-like appear- 

 ance of the bead, jaws, and teeth. At the entrance to the Great Sound, in Bermuda, is a reef called 

 Hog-fish Shoal, which is surmounted by a beacon bearing an enormous effigy of a Hog-fish in metal. 



89. THE DEMOISELLE AND THE CICHLID FAMILIES. 



Among the reefs of Florida two or three species of the family Pomacentrulas are abundant. 

 Most prominent among these is the "Sergeant Major," OlypJiidodon saxatilis (L.) C. & V., called 

 in Bermuda the " Cow-pilot," from an alleged habit of being always found in the society of the 

 "Cow-fish," or Ostracion. This fish sometimes attains the length of ten inches and the weight of 

 a pound or so, but is usually of a smaller size and is not highly esteemed for food. It is found 

 throughout the tropical waters of the entire world. 



