388 Bass, Pike, and Perch 



spring. The same light tackle used for the pig- 

 fish and pork-fish can be utilized for the pin-fish, 

 with small, strong hooks, as Sproat bend. No. 4 

 or 5, on gut snells. The ends of piers and wharves, 

 in comparatively shallow water, are favorable 

 localities for fishing. 



THE SQUIRREL-FISH 



(Holocentrus ascensionis) 



Holocentrus ascensionis. The Squirrel-fish. Body oblong, moder- 

 ately compressed, the back a little elevated ; head 3f ; depth 3f ; 

 eyes; scales 5-50-7; D. XI, 15; A. IV, 10; head compressed, 

 narrowed forward; opercle with a strong spine above, below 

 with the edge sharply serrated ; preopercle with a strong spine 

 at its angle ; mouth small, little oblique, with the lower jaw pro- 

 jecting somewhat ; eye excessively large ; upper lobe of caudal 

 fin the longest; soft dorsal fin pointed, as high as the body; 

 third anal spine very strong, as long as longest anal ray. 



The squirrel-fish belongs to the family Holo- 

 centridcB, the species comprising that family hav- 

 ing very rough or spinous scales, a single dorsal 

 fin, deeply divided, with the spines very tall ; the 

 caudal fin deeply forked ; the anal fin with four 

 spines ; and a very large eye. 



The squirrel-fish belongs to the West Indian 

 fauna, ranging from the Florida Keys to South 

 America. It was first described by Osbeck, in 

 1 77 1, from Ascension Island, who named it for 



