1879.| Notes on Some Fishes of the Coast of California. 303 
each side are constant, and at once distinguish it from every other 
species, In color it resembles S. ruer. Though not so common 
as S. auriculatus, or S. melanops, or even as S. nebulosus, S. ruber 
or S. rosaceus, it is occasionally brought in, in considerable 
numbers. 
For all the above species of Sebastes, as well as for S. flavidus 
Ayres, S. paucispinis Grd., and S. elongatus Ayres, the fishermen 
have no other English names but rock cod or rock fish, although 
they can readily distinguish between the species. I have, therefore, 
coined names for them from their most obvious characteristics. 
All the species named, except S..elongatus, have occurred in the 
markets during the months of October, November and Decem- 
ber. The names rock cod and rock fish are also applied to the 
various species of Chirus, to Ophiodon elongatus and even to the 
scaleless Scorpenichthys marmoratus. 
Sphyrena argentea Grd., the barracuda—It is well not to 
be misled by English names; that of Barracuda is applied not 
only to all the species of Sphyrena, of which there are several, 
but also to fishes of other families, and even other orders. In the 
rivers of South America the name is given to the Suds (Ara- 
paima) gigas, a soft-finned, large-scaled, fresh-water, carnivorous 
fish. All barracudas, however, are fierce, rapacious fishes, and the 
one we are at present considering attains a length of over three 
feet, and a weight of from twelve to fourteen pounds. The form is 
slender but it is nearly as thick as it is deep, and its jaws are armed 
with a formidable row of sharp teeth. When darting through 
the water it looks like a silver arrow. It is usually obtained 
south of the bay and at the Farallones, but occurs at least as far 
north as Tomales. Its flesh is very good eating, so that if it 
devours our food fishes, we may console ourselves by devour- 
ing it. 
E EETA lineatus Gill, Sciena lineata Günthr., the king- 
fish—This species was formerly common in the bay, but since 
its waters have been defiled with so much tar and drain refuse by 
our destructive and imperfect civilization, it has become scarce, 
and is now usually obtained outside. It is, in my opinion, one of 
the most delicate of our food fishes. ie 
Sarda lineolata Girard—This, like all the Pacific coast Scom- 
bride, is not very often brought to the markets of San Francisco, 
and is, therefore, a high-priced fish. Those that come here are 
_ caught in Monterey bay. 
