126 Big Game Fishes 
bay among the algze-covered rocks, the home of 
the micramoc, it was a striking object; about 
three and a half feet in length, the body very deep, 
colored a vivid brick-red, the base of some of 
the fins black, a jet-black crescent at the base of 
the tail, a dark inky blotch on the forehead pecul- 
iar to the male, while the lower jaw was yellow. 
Other minor tints and differences between the 
sexes may be found, but the prevailing color is 
red, and the catch might better be called the 
flame fish, as it blazes its way with lurid scintilla- 
tions, through the blue waters. It is known as 
hogfish because its mouth is supposed to bear a 
resemblance to that of a hog; at least, it is very 
large, and armed with prominent teeth which 
project outward. The first three dorsal spines 
are provided with long red streamers, while the 
first rays of the soft dorsal and anal are very 
long, which, with the outer spines of the tail 
likewise extended, give the hogfish a gay and 
festive air. Preserved specimens, individuals 
found in the markets, or even in the wells of 
smacks, convey no idea of the beauty and bril- 
iancy of the hogfish fresh from the coral groves, 
where aeration is perfect and the bottom highly 
colored. 
