FISHERIES OF THE PACIFIC COAST, 
121 
Mackerel ( Scomber colias ), according to Wilcox, occur from October 
to the middle of December, but are scarce. Their northern limit of 
migration is Monterey Bay ; the price varies from 10 to 20 cents per 
pound, and they weigh 2 or 3 pounds each. In October, 1889, when 
the species was rare in the market, Dr. Bean found it selling at 30 to 
50 cents per pound. 
The Spanish mackerel (tScomberomorus concolor) is rare, and only a 
few are seen in the markets during August and September. Jt is 
highly prized, and sells readily at from $2 to $3. # 
The bonito (8 'tarda chilensis) is abundant in its season, June to Septem- 
ber, but not in much demand, selling at 15 to 50 cents each. It averages 
12 pounds in weight. 
The u horse mackerel ” or scad ( Trachurus picturatus) averages 3 
pounds in weight, according to Wilcox, and is in market most of the 
year. The price ranges from 8 to 20 cents per pound. Professor Jor- 
dan places its northern limit of migration v at Monterey, which locality 
it reaches in August. He says its weight is less than a pound, and in 
1879 found it to be held in low esteem as a food-fish, though he did not 
know whether this was due entirely to its small size. The estimation of 
its value seems to have changed materially in the past decade. 
The California pompano (Stromateus simillimus) is closely related to 
the butterfish of the Atlantic. It was very rare prior to 1870, but about 
1879 was often found in such quantities that the catch could not all be 
sold. It is again very scarce, but a few are taken from June to August 
and are in demand at a price varying from 50 cents to $1.50 per pound. 
The fish is known both as pompano and butterfish in the San Francisco 
market. 
The sea bass (C y noscion nobile), sometimes called “ white sea-bass,” or 
when young, “ sea trout,” is one of the most valued and important species 
on the coast ; it is caught from July to November ; it averages about 15 
pounds in weight ; its price ranges from 1 to 10 cents per pound. 
The little bass of San Francisco ( Genyonemus Uneatus) u often comes 
into the markets in large numbers,” according to Jordan, who says that 
many are dried by the Chinese. 
The kingfish (Seriphus politus), also called the queenfisli, occurs all 
the year, but is specially abundant in summer, at which time it schools 
in great numbers in the surf along sandy beaches. Its price varies from 
4 to 7 cents. 
The Sacramento perch (Archoplites interruptus) u is known only by 
the name of ‘perch.’” It is taken in. great numbers from October to 
March in the lower reaches of the Sacramento and San Joaquin Bivers, 
* The term “ Spanish mackerel, ” as used in San Francisco markets, is commonly 
applied to the bonito, also called “skipjack,” and “tuna” or horse mackerel. The 
true Spanish mackerel (S; concolor) is not caught north of Monterey Bay, where a few 
are occasionally taken in late summer or fall. 
