266 
AMERICAN FISHES. 
The inexplicable name of “ Fly-fish ” is given to one species, Sebastich- 
thys rhodochloris , by the fishermen at Monterey. Like the preceding, it is 
known only from very deep water about Monterey and the Farallones. It 
is one of the smallest species, rarely weighing more than a pound. 
The Corsair, Sebastichthys rosaceus , is known to the Portuguese fisher¬ 
men at Monterey by the name “ Corsair,” a name of uncertain application 
transplanted from the Azores. It is one of the smallest species, rarely 
weighing more than a pound and a half. It ranges from Santa Barbara 
to San Francisco, in deep water, and where found, it is the most abund¬ 
ant of the red species. When the weather permits outside fishing with 
trawl-lines this is one of the most abundant species in the San Francisco 
markets. It ranks high as a' food-fish. 
The Spotted Corsair, Sebastichthys constellatus , in size, distribution, 
habits and value agrees with the “Corsair.” It is, however, consider¬ 
ably less abundant, although not a rare fish in the markets of San 
Francisco. 
Two specimens only of the Yellow Rockfish, Sebastichthys umbrosus , are 
known, both of which are from Santa Barbara. 
At Monterey, the Spanish-Flag, Sebastichthys rubricinctus , is known by 
the very appropriate name of “Spanish Flag,” from its broad bands of 
red, white, and red. It reaches a weight of about six pounds. It is found 
in very deep water on rocky reefs about Santa Barbara and Monterey. It 
is perhaps the least common in the markets of all the species, except S. um¬ 
brosus. In coloration it is the most brilliant fish on the coast. 
The Red Rockfish, Sebastichthys ruber , is usually the “ Red Rockfish ” 
par excellence. At Monterey it evidently attains a weight of twelve or 
more pounds, and is called by the Portuguese “Tambor. ” It ranges 
from Santa Barbara to Puget Sound, its abundance increasing to the 
northward. It lives in water of considerable depth. In the markets of 
San Francisco it is one of the most common species. Large specimens 
about Victoria, in the Straits of Fuca, had the skull above the brain 
infected by an encysted parasite worm. Great numbers of them were 
seen in the Straits of Fuca, according to Mr. Swan, swimming stupidly 
near the surface, so torpid that the Indians killed them with clubs. 
According to the Indians, they had been struck by the Thunder-bird, 
which, with its companion, the Lightning-fish, causes many of the phe¬ 
nomena in that region. The smaller specimens of this species rank well 
as food-fishes ; the larger ones are likely to be coarse or tough. 
