THE ROSE-FISH, AND ITS ALLIES. 265 
The Yellow-backed Rockfish, Sebastichthys maliger, seems to have no 
distinct name in common use. It ranges from Monterey to Puget Sound, 
in rather deep water. It is not very common about San Francisco, but 
many are caught in the Straits of Fuca. It is one of the largest of the 
species, reaching a weight of six or eight pounds. As a food-fish it is not 
so good as some of the others. 
The Red Garrupa, Sebastichthys caurinus and sub-species vexillaris, is 
known as ‘‘Garrupa,’’ ‘‘ Rockfish’’ and ‘‘Rock-cod.’’ It reaches a 
length of twenty inches and a weight of six pounds. It ranges from San 
Nicolas to Puget Sound, being generally common in water of moderate 
depth. It is subject to greater variations than any other species in the 
different parts of its range. It forms about seven per cent. of the total 
rock-cod catch. Its flesh ranks as about average. 
The Grass Rockfish, Sebastichthys rastrelliger, like all those of dusky 
color, is known as ‘‘Garrupa.’’ At San Francisco it is often called 
‘¢Grass Rockfish,’’ perhaps from its color. It reaches a weight of two to 
four pounds. It lives in water of moderate depth, and is rather common 
everywhere from San Nicolas to Humboldt Bay. Its abundance is greatest 
south of Point Conception. It is said to be the best of all the Rockfish 
for the table, and to be an especial favorite with the Jews. 
The Brown Rockfish, Sebastichthys auriculatus, seldom receives a dis- 
tinctive name from the fishermen. It reaches a weight of three or four 
pounds, although, as usually seen in the markets, it is smaller than any 
other of the species. This is owing to the fact that its young are caught 
in seines in the bay, while those of other species are less frequently taken, 
and then only in the open ocean. It ranges from San Martin Island to 
Puget Sound, living in shallow water and entering all the bays, and being 
taken with a hook from all the wharves. It is thus apparently more 
abundant than any other species, although in actual numbers probably 
many of the deep-water forms (S. flavidus, pinniger, rosaceus) far exceed 
it. As a food-fish it is held in lower esteem than most of the others. 
The Pesce-Vermiglia, Sedastichthys chlorostictus, is called ‘‘ Pesce- 
Vermiglia,’’ or ‘‘ Vermilion-fish,’’ by the Portuguese fishermen at Monte- 
rey. It is known only from Monterey Bay and the Farallones, occurring 
about the rocks in considerable depths of water and being taken only with 
the hook. In its native haunts it isnotarare species. It reaches a weight 
of three or four pounds, and is excellent food. 
