THE ROSE-FISH AND ITS ALLIES. 263 
the larger individuals prey upon the smaller. The hag-fish (Polistotrema) 
destroys considerable numbers. They are usually very free from internal 
parasites. 
All the members of this family rank high as food-fishes. The flesh is 
firm and white, and, although not very delicate, is of a fair quality. That 
of Scorpena guttata is probably best; that of Sebastichthys mystinus brings 
the lowest price in market, but the prejudice against the latter species 
perhaps rests on its color. 
The Scorpene, Scorpena guttata, is known also by the names 
“‘Scorpion’’ and ‘‘Sculpin.’’? ‘‘Scorpene’’ (Scolpina), in common use 
among the Italian fishermen, is of course the name of Scorpena porcus, S. 
scrofa, and other Mediterranean fishes, transferred to this very similar 
North American fish. The wound made by the dorsal spines of this fish is 
excessively painful, far more so than the sting of a bee, as though the 
spines had some venomous secretion. The name Scorpena is evidently 
derived from this. This species reaches a length of something over a foot 
and a weight of about two pounds. It is found only from Point Concep- 
tion southward to Ascension Island, living about rocks and kelp, but often 
entering the bays. It is generally common, and takes the hook freely. 
It feeds upon crustacea and small fishes, and spawns in spring. Nothing 
distinctive is known of its breeding habits. Asa food-fish it ranks with 
the best, being superior to the species of Sedastichthys, and it always is in 
good demand where known. 
The Black-banded Rockfish, Sedastichthys nigrocinctus, has, so far.as we 
know, received no distinctive name from the fishermen. It reaches a 
weight of about four pounds and a length of eighteen to twenty inches. 
It ranges from Monterey northward, being found only in deep water (ten 
to twenty fathoms). About San Francisco it is exceedingly rare, not half 
a dozen usually coming into the market in a year. In the Straits of Fuca 
and outside in the open ocean it is tolerably abundant. The food and 
the breeding habits, as far as known, differ little in this family, and the 
general remarks on the group apply to all the species of Sedastichthys. 
As a food-fish this species sells readily on account of its brilliant and at- 
tractive colors, second only in brilliancy to those of the ‘‘ Spanish Flag.”’ 
Sebastichthys serriceps, wherever this species receives a distinctive 
name, is known as the ‘‘Tree-fish,’? an appellation originating 
with the Portuguese at Monterey, and without obvious application. 
