246 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OS' FISH AND FISHERIES. 
the spring, and is followed from there, in its migrations northward, 
until it reaches the waters of Bering Sea. The fur-sealing season was 
formerly from early in March (or possibly in February) until June ; it 
is now continued much later. The sea otter is occasionally taken by 
the crews of the sealers. 
Flounders of several Varieties occur in the waters of Puget Sound 
and vicinity; they can be taken at all seasons, and constitute quite an 
important item in the fish trade at Seattle. The largest species is P. 
stellatus Girard, which is common and abundant in the vicinity of Cape 
Flattery and IsTeah Bay during summer. u The other varieties are known 
by the common names of large-eyed flounder, large-scaled flounder, 
hook-toothed flounder, long-finned flounder, short-finned flounder, 
bastard turbot, spine-cheeked turbot, black-tailed sole, black-dotted 
plaice, and other varieties of the small flounder family which are sold 
as sole. * * * They are very plentiful, and are readily taken with 
trawl nets, so that a supply can be had at any time.”* 
The halibut ( H . hippo gloss us) is, next to salmon, the most important 
species of fish in this section. During a large part of the summer 
season it is abundant in the vicinity of Cape Flattery, but frequently 
has to be sought at a more distant locality. 
Cod ( Gadus morrhua) and cultus-cod ( Ophiodon ), which is most com- 
monly called “cod” here, occur in various parts of the sound and 
strait. They are reported to be most plentiful in February and March. 
Herring occur at all seasons of the year, and are generally abundant. 
In a letter written to Professor Baird by J. P. Hammond and published 
in the American Angler, December 18, 1880, the following statement is 
made : 
From 1869 to 1877 it was not an uncommon occurrence for us to catch from 200 to 
300 barrels of herring in a night, but since 1877 they have been growing less in num- 
ber, until now the largest night’s work is about 20 barrels. 
The big red sculpin (Scorpcenichthys marmoratus) is also called “ rock- 
cod ” by the fishermen. It occasionally attains a weight of 10 or 12 
pounds, and is considered a good food-fish. 
Rockfish of various species, mostly of the genus JSebastichthys, occur 
at all seasons. There are nearly the same varieties of rockfish here as 
at San Francisco, and they need not be discussed in this connection. 
The black bass ($. melanops) is taken chiefly during July and August 
in the vicinity of Tacoma. 
Perch ( Damaliohthys ) and tomcod (Microgadus), occur at all seasons 
and are often abundant; but the latter species is not an object of 
capture. 
Here, as at many other points on the Pacific coast, the salmon is the 
principal object of fishery. The following are the most important 
species taken in Puget Sound: Humpback (O. gorbuscha ), silver (O. 
* James G. Swan, in Portland (Oregon) Journal of Commerce, November 15, 1884. 
