18C3.] 



OF THE COAST OF CALIFORNIA. 



395 



and posterior supraorbitals strong and sharp, but not so elevated as 

 to make much depth to the intraorbital fossa ; intraorbital ridges 

 just discernible; postorbital spine slender, very sharp; occipital 

 ridge smooth, somewhat prominent, not spined. Upper two pre- 

 opercular spines sharp, next two flattened and serrated or edged, 

 anterior one blunt. Humeral, scapular, and two opercular spines 

 flat, not prominent ; lower angle of operculum serrated. Spinous 

 dorsal a little higher than the soft portion, or sometimes only equal. 

 Second anal spine as high as the third, and stouter. 



The colours are stated with sufficient accuracy by Girard {loc. cit.). 

 S. auriculatus is perhaps the most common species we have, and is 

 almost the only one taken about the wharves of the city. The exam- 

 ples for the most part small, seldom exceeding half to three-quarters 

 of a pound in weight, though those brought in by the fishermen 

 from the deep water are much larger ; the heaviest I have seen was 

 20 inches long, with a weight of six pounds. In the large specimens 

 the black spot of the operculum becomes almost obsolete. 



The typical specimens of 5. nebulosus and S. auriculatus are quite 

 widely distinct ; but so many intermediate forms occur, that not un- 

 frequently it is actually very difficult to decide to which of the two 

 certain individuals should be referred. The spines and ridges of the 

 head I have found more reliable as means of diagnosis than any other 

 features. 



4. Sebastes ruber, Ayres, Proc. Cal. Acad. Nat. Sci. i. p. 7, 

 and ii. p. 208, fig. 63 (non S. rosaceus, Gir. P. R. Rep. x. p. 78). 



Top of the head quite rough, the ridges being thinner and more 

 irregular on their edge than in the other species. Nasal spine sharp 

 and rather strong ; supraorbital crest consisting of an anterior spine 

 which is distinct and regular, and then an elongated irregularly ser- 

 rated ridge, not ending in any very distinct spine ; postorbital spine 

 not large, but quite sharp, distinct, and regular ; intraorbital pair of 



