128 The West American Scientist. 



species of this family, the younger forms are found in shallower 

 water. The largest were found in forty-five fathoms, the smaller 

 in fifteen fathoms. 



The old frequently have large black blotches irregularly placed. 

 The lateral line is usually light, this light area being bordered by 

 two series of dark spots. The sides are salmon colored, some 

 individuals being profusely spotted with dark. The young are 

 more uniform in color. 



23. Sebastichthys flavidus Ayres. Found with the pre- 

 ceding species. This species does not attain a large size, the 

 largest not weighing over two pounds. It resembles Serranus 

 clathratus,the sand bass, in shape and color and can readily be dis- 

 tinguished from the other rock fishes by its yellowish fins. The 

 sides are gray, darker above. A series of large, light blotches, 

 along the back. These are sometimes quite white. 



24. *Sebastichthys melanops (Girard.) A small species 

 not very abundant; in shallow water. Oval in shape; side slate- 

 colored with darker markings; belly white. D. XIII, 15^2; A. 

 Ill, 8^2 or 9^2. Jelly fish found in the stomach. 



25. ^Sebastichthys ovalis (Ayres.) Abundant in deep 

 water. (48 fathoms.) This is the deepest and thinnest of the 

 rock cods. Sides and fins with many small black dots. The 

 young of this species was frequently found in the stomachs of 

 other more strongly armed species of this genus. Its color is 

 quite different from that of the adult. A specimen .19 m. long, 

 is yellowish gray, white below, darker above. A dark ashy spot 

 on lateral line below sixth dorsal spine; another just below the 

 lateral line below the tenth dorsal spine; a larger one above the 

 lateral line below posterior part of soft dorsal; another on caudal 

 peduncle just behind the dorsal. Dorsal fins colored like the 

 dark spots, caudal like the body. Pectorals, ventrals and tip of 

 anal pink; base of anal yellowish. Three dark lines radiating from 

 eye. A dark line on maxillaries. A silvery spot on opercle. Iris 

 pearl colored. D. XIII, 14"^; A. Ill, 7 1 /,. 



26. Sebastichthys miniatus Jordan & Gilbert. The most 

 abundant species. 35 to 50 fathoms. Feeds on other fishes, 

 chiefly other species of Sebastichthys. 



Back and upper parts of sides bright lemon yellow, with num- 

 erous dark spots, which, in the smaller individuals are united to 

 form mottlings or vermiculations. Lateral line deep red; lower 

 part of sides and belly light red; all the fins deep red, the color 

 of the back sometimes encroaching on the dorsal fins. Sides of 

 head deep red, three yellow lines radiating from eye. D. XIII, 

 14^; A. Ill, 7^. 



27. ^Sebastichthys ruber (Ayres.) Not very abundant. 

 All the individuals caught were of a large size and found in deep 

 water. One female with young — probably several million. 



This species can best be distinguished by the rough ridges on 

 the head. Rosy above becoming lemon yellow on belly; fins all 

 dark brick-red, narrowly edged with black. 



