266 NATURAL HISTORY OP AQUATIC ANIMALS. 



weight of about three pounds. It ranges from San Diego to Monterey, being more southerly in 

 its distribution than the other species. It lives in rocky places, in rather shallow water, and is gen- 

 erally common, especially south of Point Concepcion. It is considered excellent food. 



Reina {Sebastichthys elSngatus (Ayres) Gill).— This species is known as "Reina" (Queen) at 

 Monterey. It is a small fish, reaching a weight of less than two pounds, and lives in deep water 

 about Monterey and the Farallones. It is never very common in the markets, although frequently 

 taken in considerable numbers. 



Red Rock-fish of Alaska (Sebastichthys proriger Jor. & Gilb.). — In habits this species agrees 

 with S. elongatus. It is usually still smaller, rarely weighing more than a pound. Its range 

 extends northward to the Aleutian Islands, where, it reaches a large size, and is of considerable 

 importance as a food-flsh. 



ViUTA (Sebastichthys ovalis (Ayres) Lock.).— This species is known at Monterey as "Viuva" 

 (Widow) ; the reason not evident. It reaches a weight of three or four pounds. It is found from 

 Santa Barbara to Monterey, in deep water, and is seldom brought to market. 



Sebastichthys entomelas Jor. & Gilb., is a species very similar to the preceding in size and 

 habits. Thus far it has been only found in deep water outside of Monterey Bay. 



Black Rook-fish (Sebastichthys mystinus Jor. & Gilb.). — This species, usually called the 

 "Black Rock-flsh," in Puget Sound is known, with its more abundant relative, Sebastichthys mela- 

 nops, as the "Black Bass." The Portuguese at Monterey call it "Pesce Prfetre," or Priest-fish, in 

 allusion to its dark colors, so diflferent from those of most of the' other members of the family. It 

 reaches a weight of five pounds, but as usually seen in the markets varies from two to three. It 

 ranges from Santa Barbara to Vancouver's Island, inhabiting water of moderate depths. It is 

 much more abundant about Monterey and San Francisco than either northward or southward, and 

 large numbers are taken in Tomales Bay. In the markets of San Fraucisco it is found, taking the 

 year through, in greater numbers than any other species. It sells at a lower price than the others, 

 its color causing a prejudice against it, although the quality of the flesh doubtless differs little 

 from that of the rest. ' 



Alaska Black Rock-fish (Sebastichthys ciliatus (Tiles.) Jor. & Gilb.). — Specimens of this 

 species from the Aleutian Islands are in the National Museum. Nothing distinctive is known in 

 regard to its habits, which probably agree with those of ;8'. melanops. , 



Spotted Black Rock-pish (Sebastichthys melanops (Grd.) Jor. & Gilb.). — This species is 

 confounded with S. mystinus by the fishermen, under the name of "Black Bass" in Puget Sound, 

 " Black Rock fish" in San Francisco, and "Pesce Prfetre" at Monterey. In size and value it agrees 

 with S. mystinus. Its range is more northerly, from Monterey to Puget Sound, being not very 

 common at San Francisco, and one of the most-abundant species in Puget Sound. 



Yellow-tail Rock-fish, (Sebastichthys flavidus (Ayres) Lock.). — This species is occasi9nally 

 called the " Green Rock-flsh " or " Rock-cod " at San Fraucisco. At Monterey it is always knowu by 

 the appropriate name of " Yellow -tail," the caudal fin being always distinctly yellow. To distinguish 

 it from the Yellow-tail of farther south we may call it the Yellow-tail Rock-fish. This species reaches 

 a weight of six or seven pounds, but its usual weight is about two. It ranges from Santa Oatalina 

 Island to Cape Mendocino, and is taken both in deep water and near shore. About Monterey and 

 San Francisco it is very abundant, and is one of the principal species in the markets. As a food- 

 flsh it is considered as one of the best iu the group. 



■ Boccaccio (Sebastodes paucispinis (Ayres) Gill). — About Monterey and San Francisco this 

 species is known as "Boccaccio" or "Boccac'" (bocatch) to the Italians, and as "M^rou" (mdroo) to 

 the Portuguese. American fishermen use the name "Jack," and those who fish for the young from 



