176 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
trials with, the beam trawl it was observed that the shoaler water species were quite 
regularly distributed, flatfishes being the principal feature of every haul. Small 
specimens of the “deep-sea sole” were secured in depths of 50 fathoms and less. The 
“long-finned sole” was traced from near the shore into depths of 100 fathoms, the 
finest specimens occurring in the deeper water. These two species approach more 
nearly to the European sole than any others on the Pacific coast, the flesh of mature 
individuals being white, gelatinous, and exceedingly delicate in flavor. From experi- 
ments made on board the Albatross they were found, when kept on ice, to improve 
until the fourth day, but deteriorated after the seventh day. They can be captured 
only with the beam trawl or other form of drag net. Large specimens of the deep-sea 
sole seldom, if ever, reach the San Francisco market, as the fishermen restrict their 
operations to water too shallow for them. In consequence of this fact, no doubt, the 
fishermenhavealso had no incentive to increase the size of their fishing boats in this 
region, or to improve their character.' While many of these boats, hailing from San 
Francisco as well as from Santa Cruz and Monterey, are stable and seaworthy, and 
often good sailers, they are lacking in accommodations and especially in comfortable 
quarters for the crew. 
The variety of fishes taken during this investigation was quite large, but a dis- 
cussion of them must be deferred until the completion of Prof. Gilbert’s report upon 
the subject. Among them were a number of important food species, some of which 
occur in great abundance. The following list of the principal forms obtained has been 
prepared by Mr. Townsend. The remarks upon the relative abundance of the species 
are based entirely upon the observations of the Albatross. 
List of the principal fishes obtained by the steamer Albatross between Point Reyes and Monterey Bay, 
March and April, 1890. 
[Between the shore and the 50-fathom line.] 
Scientific name. 
Common name. Relative abundance. 
Citharichthys sordidus 
stigmseus 
Microstomus pacificus 
Atheresthes stomias 
Eopsetta jordani 
Hippoglossoides exilis 
Psettichthys melanostictus 
Pleuronichthys decurrens.. 
Parophrys vetulus 
Grlyptocephalus zachirus . . . 
Microgacfus proximus 
Porichthys porosissimus . . . 
Sehastodes ruber 
pinniger 
flavidus 
miniatus 
elongatus 
auriculatus 
goodei 
chlorostictus ... 
(3 new species) . 
(1 new species) . 
Zaniolepis latipinnis 
Ophiodon elongatus 
Abeona 
Genyonemus lineatus 
Atherinopsis 
Stolephorus 
Chimeera colliei 
Myxine glutinosa 
Flounder 
do 
“ Deep-sea sole ” ... 
Flounder 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
Long-finned sole ” 
Tomcod 
Midshipman 
Red rockfish 
Orange rockfish 
Yellow-tail rockfish 
Vermilion rockfish . 
Rockfish 
do 
do 
do 
do 
do 
Cultus-cod. 
Perch 
Roncador . . 
Smelt 
Anchovy . . 
Ratfish 
Hag eel — 
Abundant. 
Rare. 
Few small ones. 
Rare. 
Common. 
Abundant. 
Common. 
Do. 
Abundant. 
Do. 
Few. 
Very abundant. 
Common. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Rare. 
Do. 
Very abundant. 
Rare. 
Common. 
Few. 
Common. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
