REPORT OF THE

COMMISSIONERS
OF FISHERIES

STATE OF CALIFORNIA

1880.

■//\ California. Dept. of Fish and Game,
L^r Biennial Report 1880.

^ (bound volume)

DATE DUE

T

I California. Dept. of Fish and Game,
Biennial Report 1880.

(bound volume)

California Resources Agency Library

1416 9th Street, Room 117

Sacramento, California 95814

CALIFORNIA RESOURCES AGENCY LIBRARY

Resources Building, Room 117

1416 -9th Street

Sacramento, California

95314

REPORT

COMMISSIONERS OF FISHERIES

STATE OF CALIFORNIA,

FOB THR

Year 1880.

REPORT.

To his Excellency George C. Perkins, Go r of California:

The Commissioners of Fisheries for the State of California,
appointed under an A.ct of the Legislature entitled "An Act to
provide for the restoration and preservation of fish in the waters of
this State," approved April 2, 1870, respectfully submit their sixth
r< pi ■!■!.

Heretofore reports of the transactions of the Fish Commissioners
havi i made biennially, at the meeting of each Legislature. The

change in time for submittin Ltement of our operations, required

by the adoption of the new< ution, necessarily limits this report

to the proceedings of the past year.

SACRAMENTO SALMON — ONCORHYNCHUS Q.UINNAT.

It is with pleasure we report that the annual hatching of two mill-
ions of these fish, and placing them in the tributaries of the Sacra-
mento River, are producing their legitimate results. The numbers
of salmon that could have been taken in this river, before the greater
part of their spawning beds had been destroyed by sediment from the
gold mines, can never be known. It is the testimony of all the pio-
neer miners that every tributary of the Sacramento, at the com-
mencement of mining, was. in the season, filled with this fish,
hurrying and struggling as if to reach the very sources of these
streams. A few salmon continued to enter the Feather, Yuba, Bear,
and American Rivers until the floods of tie- Winter of 1860-1, which
covered the gravel bottoms of all those streams with mining sedi-
ment, and thereby destroyed their spawning grounds. Continuous
and unrestricted fishing, and the destruction by mining of so large
an area of clean beds of gravel, reduced this fish in numbers in the
Sacramento until, in the season of 1S72 and 1873, there were probably
less than at any other time before or since. Several thousands of
young fish, artificially hatched, were placed in the head waters by
the United State- prior to 1873. In that year we made arrangements
with the United States authorities to hatch our quota of the eggs
annually given to each State, at an expense of 81,000 for each million
of fish hatched out and turned into the river. Including 2,225,000
fish just placed in the head waters, there have been hatched by the
State, and turned into the McCloud, Pit, and Upper Sacramento
Rivers, 15,350,000 young salmon.

It seemed desirable that a record should be kept of the catch of
salmon in the Sacramento, so as to learn the effect on this industry
of the annual deposit of these two million young salmon.

Since 187-1 we have obtained the numbers and weight of salmon

caught in the Sacramento and San Joaquin, that have been trans-
ported from the place of capture, to the Cities of Sun Francisco,
Sacramento and Stockton, by rail and steamboats, as also the num-
bers and weight of salmon pul up in tins by the different canning
establishments. We have been unable to obtain the weight of sal-
mon salted, and the numbers and weight of salmon caught near the
month of Feather River, and by the fishermen near Tehama, and in
the upper waters of the Sacramento and San Joaquin. Neither can
we obtain the numbers and weight of those taken to market by fish-
ermen in their own boats, nor those caught and salted, in violation
of law, during the close season. Therefore, to the weight of salmon
actually taken to market by rail and steamboats, and the salmon
actually tinned, we have added twenty-iivc per cent., the total being
a close approximation of the actual catch for the season.

This system has been pursued since we commenced in 1873, to
gather the statistics of the catch of salmon in the Sacramento River.
: he record is as follows:

For season ending August 1,1875 5,098,781 pounds.

For season ending August 1, 1876 5,311,423 pounds.

For season ending August 1,1877 6,493,563 pounds.

For season em 1 in.': Augusl 1, 1S78 6,520,768 pounds.

Eor season ending August 1,1879 4,432,250 pounds.

For season ending August 1, 1880 10,837,400 pounds.

In the season, ending August I, 1879, the salmon were reported_ to
be as numerous as ever before known, but for three weeks, during
the height of the season, in consequence of a disagreement between
the fishermen and tiie proprietors of canning establishments, no
salmon were taken, except for daily consumption in the city markets.
It will be seen that the catch of 1880 was the largest ever reported,
and that the weight of salmon captured has doubled since the State's
appropriation enabled us to place annually an average of two million
young fish in the head waters of the Sacramento. The fishermen, as
well as the proprietors of canning establishments, are beginning to
acknowledge that the annual addition of two million young fish to
the river, over and above those naturally hatched, does, after two
or three years, add to the numbers of mature fish to be found in the
river.

More young fish have been taken by the fishermen, during the
past two years, than ever before ; and more young fish have appeared
on the spawning beds of theMcCloud, during the same period, than
have heretofore been observed.

The increase in the numbers and weight of fish taken, and the
immense numbers of young fish that reach the spawning grounds
from the ocean, are conclusive evidence that the expenditure, by the
State, of money, in the artificial hatching of salmon, is a most profit-
able investment for the public benefit, The increase of fish, by
artificial propagation, has doubled the annual catch of salmon in the
river, correspondingly added to the numbers of men and boats
engaged in the industry, and warranted the investment of not less than
S;iU0,000 in the erection and equipment of salmon canning establish-
ments.

When the State commenced the work of artificially hatching-
salmon, and placing the young fish into the head waters of the rivers,
there were no canning establishments on the Sacramento River.
Now, on the river, and in the cities, there are nine. The State

appropriation for fish hatching may be said to have created this
industry. To show with what rapidity fhis business is growing, it
may be stated that in 1879 there were tinned, of Sacramento River
salmon, 33,017 cases of forty-eight pounds each, or 1,584,816 pound-.
In 1880 then- were tinned 62,000 cases of forty-eight pounds each, or
2,976,000 pounds.

The average catch of salmon in the rivers, before the State added
to the numbers by artificial hatching, was five million pounds. This,
to persons not controlled by narrow personal interest or cupidity,
would be convincing evidence of the wisdom of the State laws for
the promotion and increase of this industry. Yet, strange as it may
--in, it is tin' history of the fish industry of every State in the
Union, and of all other countries, that when public moneys are used
to add to the numbers of fish to be caught, not only the fishermen,
hut the owners of large capital invested in the business, are unremit-
ting and persistent in their applications for the repeal of all laws that
place any restriction upon unlimited fishing. The perpetuation
the salmon industry is absolutely dependent upon the fact that some
of the fish must he allowed to pass the nets and reach their spawning
grounds at the head water-. It is only at the sources of streams, and
under the condition- there found, that the eggs will naturally develop
into fish. It is only when the fish reach their spawning grounds
that their eggs have become sufficiently matured so that they may
he taken for artificial propagation. 'These facts are well known and
undisputed, yet the Legislature is biennially besieged to repeal the
law, or to so change it that practically there shall he no limit to fish-
ing while there is a fish to he found in the river.

From the report of Mr. II. I). Dunn, who, in gathering statistics of
the weight of salmon tinned from tl ; ramento, may he learned the
views of the gentlemen engaged in the salmon canning business. It
will lie seen that they also, with the fishermen, practically ask a
repeal of the law which now allow- some of the fish to reach their
spawning grounds. They claim that if all n< e removed from

the river from Saturday noon until Monday morning of each week,
this would allow a sufficient number of fish to pass. They also assert
that the present law (except by the canneries) is violated. They,
however, neglect to state that if the close season were changed to suit
their views, and increase the profits of their business, they would
hardly stop to inquire, on Monday morning, whether the fish brought
to them were caught on that morning or on Sunday.

Many changes have been made by succeeding Legislatures in the
time for a close season for salmon. Every concession is taken as a
basis for further changes, looking to the present profits of the fisher-
men and canners. Neither the fish, the public, nor the future of
the business appears to have many friends. Any restrictions upon
unlimited fishing and unlimited canning, while a fish can be found
in the river, is looked upon as a personal injury, inflicted by a med-
dlesome and tyrannical government.

Under the present law the fish have so increased that the annual
catch has more than doubled. Although the law is violated by many
fishermen, yet the canning proprietors have so much capital invested
that they fear to violate the law by canning fish out of season.
Their obedience compels a partial observance of the law on the part
of the fishermen. When the canneries cease work, as required by
the present law, fish are usually quite numerous in the river. During

6

tin- son no salmon are sold in the city markets, the canneries

dare not purchase, and the'greater number of fishermen cease work.
A few, determined to oppose any law, still continue to <]ni\x their
nets, and salt the catch in by-places among the tule islands. At this
season the fish aregravid and unfit for food, and whenever cam
or salted in this condition and sold, they injure the character, in the
markets of the world, of all the fish shipped from the river where
such fish are attempted to be utilized. On the Columbia River,
without any requirement of law, the canners cease work on the
first of August, not because there are not fish still to be taken, but
because they arc over ripe. They have found that the tinning of
over ripe fish injures the reputation and lowers the standard of the
whole season's work. The standing of the tinned salmon of the
Sacramento would have been as high, in foreign markets, as that of
the rivers of Oregon had not the greed of a prominent canning firm
induced them, at the commencement of their business, to tin over
ripe fish.

We desire to add that the present law for a close season may lessen
immediate profits, but it perpetuates the business, leaves fish for
those who will succeed us, compels a high standard for Sacramento
salmon, makes this fish almost the cheapest food in the State, and
is for the best interest of the public, who are taxed to keep up and
increase the numbers of fish in the rivers.

The report of Mr. H. D. Dunn, which follows, in addition to the
statistical information which it contains, also gives fully the views
of the proprietors of the canning establishments, which, as hereto-
fore, will be urgently pressed upon the attention of the Legislature.
In reply to these requests so plausibly stated, we have to repeat, if
salmon are to be continued in our rivers, a large number of the fish
must be allowed to reach their spawning grounds, not accidently or
by chance, but systematically, and by design. The fishermen will
not cease fishing Sundays while there are canners to buy all that
may be brought Monday morning. Therefore, as at present, the
canneries should cease work during a few weeks of the time after the
fish have come in from the ocean, and are on their urgent errand to
their spawning bed-.

Sax Francisco, California, December 21, 1880.
To Board of California State Fish Commissioners, San Francisco, California :

Gentlemen: From inquiries made of parties engaged in the business, I learn that there has
been packed at the canneries on the Sacramento River and in this city about 62,000 cases of
salmon, of four dozen one-pound tins each. All these salmon were taken from the waters of
Suisun Bay and the Sacramento and San Joaquin Pavers. These salmon averaged about
twelve pounds each when taken.

There were also packed in Smith's River, in this State, during the present year, 7,500 cases
salmon of four dozen one-pound tins each, and five hundred barrels salted down.

There were also packed in Eel River, in this State, about 6,250 cases salmon of four dozen
one-pound tins each, and as far as can be estimated, about 1,500 barrels salted down. The
salmon in both these rivers are reported to have averaged about ten pounds weight each when
taken.

A new feature this year was the engaging in the business in this city of four fruit canning
establishments, viz.: Chas. King, of Win, & Co., A. Lusk & Co., Emerson, Corville k Co., and
the Cutting Packing Company. A portion of the fish canned by these firms was purchased at
the wharves in this city, and the others of fishermen on the Sacramento River.

During the open season, the run of salmon in the Sacramento River was very large, beinj;
in excess of any previous year known. The supply taken by the fishermen at times being in
excess of the wants of t he canneries, the surplus fish were brought to San Francisco for sale,
.;■' spoiling and being thrown into the bay.

After the expiration of the close season (September 15th), the run of salmon was extremely
large, but lasted for about ten days only, during which, on the 15th, 16th, and 17th of Septem-

ber, ir was estimated that fully nine thousand fish were thrown back into the river, thus wa
for want of purchasers.

An unusual circumstance, this season, connected with fishing; on the Sacramento River.
been a large run of salmon during the pr< nth (December), boats averaging from forty

to fifiv fish per day, when from five to ton were the catch in prior years. A- the canneries
all closed, and an abundant supply salted for the present year, a very large number of these
qoh will probably reach their spawning grounds, at the headwaters of the Sacramento

During the close season, between August 1, and Sep*- L 5, the law was openly violated

by the fishermen, who del tion for the oflfenset jonswhowere

were tab 3 ' mty, where no conviction could be had, it being

sd that public opin law. That the close season was openly and

itly violated by the fishermen on the Sacramento an [uin Rivers was a matter

of notoriety, and parties, well informed, stated that the number of salmon taken, in violation of
law, and salted and smoked, was in ex< ind city mai

during the legal season. As an ill number thus tak of credi-

bilil ■!' two fishermen (owning

veen them) selling wo hundred barrels salted sal-

mon, which is equal to lour thousand salmon, or more than the united catch of three average
it 1.
Am that salmon were taken frequently illinsville on the

Sacramento River, and also in the S tin River, during the close season, in daylight, with-

out any atten Iment. I >w lying on the wharf at

mid-day, during I Joaquin River, from

hundred to Bix hundred salmon, tb ie same, regardless of who

might them.

Though the price of salmon ruled low (from one dollar ami t. . ue dollar and ten

>nd I. mding, < !ontra
i County, were actively employed during tie- p n. The

irtland, Chipp's Island, Smith's River, and Eel Iii v<r : two at Col
, and four in I. From what I can learn, a -imilar

number will probably be employed dui on havii I ken

for that purpose. A amongthe probabilities,

rse circum s probable that mo inned

in this State during 1881 than in any previ ild the catch justify it, other can-

city mi-. in the trade. '1 they

employing skilled lab during tb , while the time of

the canneries on the river nly limited, but which it

is difficult ge workn

As all i with the tab to the (

deem it right to advia Bed, regarding

the present law of this ! mplain that the - □ in the

rhtofthe run of salmon puts them to large additional expense, as compared with th<
on the Columbia, and other salmon ri th; that at pi - ramento and

Joaquin Rivers, the canneries have a suppl non for about six weeks only, as during the

ter part of June and July the run is very uncertain: during which, they have to be at the
if there was full work for their employes; that not] to the State

by the close s ason, as salmon are taken in large quantities by the fishermen, in defiance of the
law; that the fishermen, after ha\ the expense and labor of salting the salmon so

taken, receive a 1 for them than what would be paid them if it were lawful to sell them

to the canneries; that while the canneries pay thirty-five cents for the fish delivered to them,
the fishermen sell their salted salmon, delivered in this city, at from I twenty-five cents

i ; that allowing; for salt, labor, and freight, the salted salmon net the fishermen from ten to
id of thirty-five cents paid at the canneries.
The canners claim that while the present law against taking salmon in the close season is a
dead letter, from inability to enforce it, that modifications can be made for their benefit without
injury to the best in- 31 te. Their desire is to have the close season for taking

salmon limited to thirty-six hours each week, extending from Saturday noon to Monday morn-
ing, claiming that this time bei u ir observed, sufficient -pawning fish will reach the head waters
of the Sacramento River to furnish all the eggs required to keep up the supply. They ask that
this may be done, pl< ring n enforcing the law. which they will be abl

do by refusing to take any fish taken during the close time: that if this change is made, and
the result is not satisfactory, after trial, to the Coinm ■ -. they, the canners, will not oppose

a reenactment of the | I iw, if the former desire it. To aid in keeping up the supply of

salinon, the canners propose to have all the boats taking salmon licensed, and if need be the
canners also; that the sum so collected be paid to the Fish Commission as a fund to be expended
in hatching out salmon to keep up the supply: that the boats being licensed will keep out
poachers, who will be easily detected if the licensed boats are properly marked with large
figures to insure identification: that at the present time all fishing boats being of the same
in idel, and painted of the same color, it is practically impossible to identify them, and they
can be and are loaned to other parties who violate the law without liability to confiscation.

I have taken the liberty of writing thus fully the views of the canners. so that the Commis-
sioners may be advised of the same before the meeting of the State Legislature, next month.

8

Also, that if it should be desirable to have the canners explain 1 1 > < • i r views more in detail, the
Commissioners could mee( them for that purpose and thereby be able to devise, if possible,
united action by which the fishing interests of the State would be increased.
I am, vours truly,

HORACE D. DUNN.

The following statement shows the numbers of salmon trans-
ported by rail and steamers from the fishing grounds of the Sacra-
mento and San Joaquin to the Cities of San Francisco, Sacramento,
and Stockton, from September 15, 1879, to August 1, 1880. It is to be
regretted that some of the transporting companies do not keep the
numbers and weight of sturgeon separate from those of the salmon.
It is, however, thought that the numbers and weight of sturgeon
were not in excess of previous years. It is also to be regretted that
in one instance the numbers of salmon had to be approximated, in
consequence of carelessness in making the necessary entries :

SUMMARY.

Shipments per steamer Enterprise 40,82'.)

Shipments per steamer Julia 24,661

Shipments per steamer Chin-du-Wan 2,276

Shipments per steamer Modoc 1,729

Shipments per California Transportation Company 70,354

Shipments per Stockton line (estimated) 34,547

Shipments per rail to Oakland 13,750

Shipments per rail to San Francisco 150

Total numbers 188,296

While gathering the statistics of the cases of Sacramento salmon
canned during the past year, Mr. Dunn procured the following
statistics of salmon canned in Oregon, etc., the present season, which
is also of interest :

On the Columbia River, 512,000 cases 4 dozen 1-pound tins each.

On the Fraser River, 40,000 cases 4 dozen 1 -pound tins each..

On the Skeena, and other rivers, 21,000 cases 4 dozen 1-pound tins each.

Besides the foregoing, there were canneries in operation at Sinslaw
and Rogue Rivers, Oregon; Puget Sound, Washington Territory;
Prince of Wales Island, and Sitka, Alaska Territory, the catch of
which he has been unable to obtain.

Under wise laws and small appropriations the salmon industry of
California has doubled in five years. With a more faithful observ-
ance of the present laws, it can be doubled again in another five
years. It would seem to be wise policy for the Legislature to dis-
regard the appeals of even good citizens, whose judgments are liable
to be wrested by their present personal profits. The Fish Commis-
sioners stand between the general good of the public and private
interests, and look to the Legislature, as representing the intelligence
of the whole community, to sustain them in their efforts to foster,
advance, and increase a great industry.

SHAD — ALOSA SAPIDISSIMA.

On the 18th of June, 1880, we received from the United States Fish
Commissioner, a donation of 240,000 young shad, which arrived
without loss, and were placed in the Sacramento River at Tehama.
This makes in all 640,000 of these fish that have been placed in

this river, through donations from the United States Fish Commis-
sioner, and through importations by the State. These fish are now-
increasing by natural propagation, as fish of all ages are caught in
the river, and in the salt water of the Bay of Monterey. A few-
years since, when mature shad first made their appearance, they sold
for $1 50 per pound. They now sell for twenty and twenty-five cents
per pound. They are as regularly quoted in the market reports as
any other fish common to the waters of this State Relatively to the
numbers in our waters, more shad are caught in California than on
the Atlantic Coast.

When the shad, after spawning, leave the eastern rivers they dis-
appear and rarely, if ever, are taken in the ocean. Practically, they
are only caught for markel after entering the rivers. The shad
turned into the Sacramento, when the time comes for them to leave
the river, resort in large numbers to the Bay of Monterey, about one
hundred miles south of San Francisco, where they find an abund-
ance of food and remain until the procreative instinct compels them
again to enter the river. Shad are caught at all seasons in the Bay
el' Monterey, in the nets of the fishermen while fishing for other
fish. There is, therefore, no week during the year when shad cannot
he found »ai the stalls in the San Francisco market. Looking to the
natural increase of the fish, this is unfortunate, as it will require
largely increased importations to fully stork our waters. When our
rivers are hilly stocked, now thai the habits of this fish on our coast
are known, there will be no difficulty in procuring this valuable fish
at all seasons of the year.

Professor Baird, of the United States Fish Commission, is having
constructed a railway ear, to be solely used in the transporting of fish.
When completed, he proposes to semi in it two or three million
young shad, which he believes will fully stock the Sacramento and
San Joaquin Rivers, and eventually all the appropriate waters of
this coast. We are entirely satisfied with the result of the experi-
ments thus far made in importing and planting shad in the waters
of California.

WHITE FISH — COREGONUS ALBA.

The 565,000 white fish, the eggs of which were brought from Lake
Michigan, and planted in different lakes and streams of this State.
appear to be thriving and increasing. We hear of them being
occasionally taken. As they can only be successfully caught in nets
made for the purpose, and rarely are taken with the hook, the prob-
abilities are they will become very numerous before the fishermen
will make a business of their capture. They are so valuable and
highly esteemed fresh water fish that we shall make every effort to
fully stock all our accessible mountain lakes. We have asked the
United States Commissioner of Fisheries for a consignment of 250,000
of the eggs of this fish, to be hatched at the State's hatching house
at San Leandro, for distribution during the present Winter.

SCHUYLKILL CATFISH — AMIUKUS ALBIDUS.

The seventy-four catfish imported from the Raritan River, in 1874,
have increased and multiplied, and this increase distributed, until
now, we believe, there is no county in the State, from Del Norte to
9. 2

10

San Diego, that has not been supplied with a greater or less number
of these fish. They are regularly sold in all the markets, at the same
prices as our most abundant fish. They are admirably adapted to the
sloughs and warm waters of tin- great valley, and in them have so
multiplied as to furnish a large supply of food. The aggregate value
of this fish alone, sold in the markets of San Francisco and Sacra-
mento annually, would more than equal the appropriation annually
made by the State for fish culture. How constant has been the
demand made upon us for the wide distribution of this fish, may be
seen in our reporl of expenditures, which shows quite a large amount
paid for their capture, and in sending them by express to different
parts of the State. These fish are now so numerous and widely dis-
tributed that probably the time has arrived when their further
distribution should be left to private enterprise, and the money of
the State heretofore used for this purpose be employed in importing
some other equally valuable fish.

(ARP — CYPRIKUS CARPIO COMMUNIS.

Since the date of our last report, we received from Professor Baird,
at the Government carp ponds, in Washington, three hundred young
carp of the most valuable variety. They were brought to California
with the loss of but two. Sixty were placed in a public lake near
Sacramento; the remainder were placed in the private pond of R. R.
Thompson, in Alameda, who promised to protect them, and allow
the State to remove them and their increase whenever desired. We
have no report of those placed in Sutterville Lake; probably none of
them have been caught. Those placed in the private pond at Ala-
meda are doing well. These fish werehatched from the egg in June,
1879. When they arrived in this State, December 29, 1879, they aver-
aged about two inches in length. In June, 1880, one year from the time
they had left the egg, they had grown to a length of more than eight
inches. During the latter month, at the request of Professor Baird,
United States Fish Commissioner, we caused the pond to be netted,
and of the carp taken, forwarded one dozen to the ponds at Mare
Island, the Navy Department having expressed a desire that the
ponds at this Navy Yard should be stocked with the most valuable
variety of carp. The great increase in the size of the fish, and their
fine appearance, make it certain they have found congenial homes.
They were probably too young to have spawned last year. They will,
without doubt, produce young fish during the Summer of 1881.
When the young fish are ready for distribution, we shall take meas-
ures to distribute them to all the appropriate waters throughout the
State.

The eight carp, of another variety, brought to this State in 1872,
from Hamburg, by the late Mr. A. J. Poppe of Sonoma County,
increased largely, and have been widely distributed. Wherever
planted in our waters they have grown rapidly, and multiplied in
numbers. ]no other variety of fish have so long been under the care
and protection of man, and no other seems so capable of domestica-
tion. There appears to be a wide spread desire among farmers of
this State, who have small natural or artificial ponds or sloughs on
their land, to procure carp for stocking their waters. Although the
carp belonging to the State have not yet produced any increase, and
as it is not probable any of the young of this fish can be ready for

11

distribution before the Winter of 1881, yet we have already on file
twenty-three applications for the young of this fish from tanners in
seventeen different counties. The carp will certainly thrive in all
the interior waters of the State, with the possible exception of the
lakes near the summit of the Sierra Nevada, where the water in
Summer maybe too cold. The carp furnishes so large a supply of
food to the people of Europe and Asia, and promises to be of so
much value to the people of this State, thai we condense from the
report of Mr. Rudolph Hesse] to Professor Baird, the following infor-
mation of the habits and natural history, etc., of this fish. He says:
The- carp is partial to stagnant waters, or such as have not a too swift
current, with a loamy, muddy bottom, and deep places covered with
vegetation. It is able to live in water where other fishes could not
possibly exist — for instance, in the pools of bog meadows and sloughs.
It lives upon vegetable food, as well as upon worms and larva of
aquatic insects, which it turn- up from the mud with the head : il
very easily satisfied, and will not refuse the offal of the kitchen,
slaughter-houses, and breweries, or even the excrement of cattle and
sheep.

In central Europe, where the water of the carp ponds becomes very
cold, the fish will, at the beginning of the cold season, seek deeper
water, making hole- in the mud, where they pass the Winter in a
kind of sleep. They make ;i cavity in the muddy ground, called a
•■ kettle." In this they pass the time until Spring, huddled together
in concentric circles, with their head- together, the posterior part of
the body raised, and held immovably, scarcely lifting the gills for
the process of breathing, and without taking a particle of food, it is
a most striking fact that the carp, though it doe- not take any food,
during this Winter sleep, yet does not diminish in weight. In the
warm climates of Southern Europe, Italy, Spain, Dalmatia, etc., the
fish become lively at a much earlier i in the Spring, ami .Mr.

Hessel doubts if, in these climates, it ever uoes into a lethargic state,
or ceas< - to feed during the Winter. When the Spring is early, or
the water has become warmed by the sun, in central Europe, it is
ready to spawn by May, and continues spawning at intervals for a
month or two. Days and weeks may pass before it will have left the
last egg to the care of nature. In Sicily, and in Algeria, which have
climates not dissimilar to the interior of California, it commences to
spawn in April. The female carp yields an immense number of
eggs. One of five pounds weight has produced half a million. The
- arc adhesive, and are. when extruded, attached to aquatic plants,
brush, or stones. The male fish follows the female among the grow-
ing water grass and weed-, and impregnates the eggs after they are
extruded. If the weather is warm, the young fish are hatched in
about two weeks. Cold water delays the hatching of the eggs for
-about three weeks. Ponds of cold water with a rock bottom are not
favorable to the growth of this fish. If the water is warm, and the
pond has a muddy bottom, the young fish should, at the close of the
third Summer, weigh an average of three pounds. If the pond con-
tain large quantities of food, the fish may weigh as much as five
pounds at the close of the third year. This fish is said to live to a
great age, and is also said to increase in weight up to about thirty
years. Ponds for carp, in California, need not be over three feet in
depth.

In stocking ponds, in Europe, it is estimated that there should be

12

placed in the water three mature females and two males to each acre
Tin eggs are subject to many casualties; they gel smothered, are
eaten by other fish, and even by the parents, so that i1 is aol usual to
obtain more than eight hundred or one thousand young fish from
the vast number of eggs extruded by each female. A larger per-
centage of young fish would be obtained if the pond contained no fish
but carp, and the parents were caught and removed to other waters
after the eggs were deposited. The eggs of carp, although adhesive,
have been hatched artificially. A more simple plan is to make a
rough box-shaped frame of willow sticks, tied or nailed together,
four or five feet long, three wide, and one high. This frame should
be densely interwoven with the hrush of Monterey eypress, or of the
redwood, and not to he trimmed on the inside of the frame. Put
this in the pond where it can float, and place in it two ripe females
and one male; cover the top with netting, so that the fish may not
escape. The females will fill the brush on the bottom and sides with
eggs, which the male will impregnate. When the spawning is com-
pleted, the fish should he removed. In due time the young fish will
make their appearance. This is a close imitation of nature, while
the eggs are preserved from enemies.

The carp in Europe is considered so valuable a fish, and supplies
such a large amount of food, that it is deservedly popular. Wherever
it has been introduced in California, it has grown and increased in
numbers.

So many persons are desirous of obtaining this fish for ponds,
sloughs, and lakes, in their several localities that we have considered
it advisable to give this condensed statement as to the best means for
the care and increase of this variety of fish.

ELACK BASS — MICROPTERUS NIGRICANS.

The seventy-three black bass placed in Napa River in 1873, were
probably all caught by anglers before they had time to propagate.
We heard that some were caught, during that year, from the river in
which they were deposited, but cannot learn that any have been
seen since. Twenty-two mature fish were brought from the East in
July, 1879, and placed by us in the Crystal Spring Reservoir, of the
Spring Valley Water Company, in San Mateo County, with the assur-
ance, on the part of the officers of that company, that the lake would
be preserved and no fish allowed to he caught until the Fish Com-
missioners granted permission; and, with the further promise that,
if the fish increased, the State could at all times take them for public
distribution. These fish have done well, and are rapidly increasing
in numbers. In another year the young can be caught and distrib-
uted to appropriate waters.

The Sport-man's Club, of San Francisco, have also imported a
number of these fish and placed them in a lake in Alameda. We
are pleased to learn that these also have increased in numbers.

STRIPED BASS — EOCCUS LINEATUS.

The one hundred and fifty striped bass brought in 1879, and placed
in the water in the Straits of Carquinez are probably increasing.
One of these fish was caught in the bay near Saucelito, and brought
to market and identified. We have heard of a few others having

13

been captured at Monterey, and near Alameda. This is one of the
most valuable ocean find riverfish of the Atlantic coast, and supplies
a large amount of food to the people of the Eastern States. There is
now no doubt they will thrive in our waters, and we shall make
every exertion to obtain large numbers, so that, in time, our bays
and brackish waters, at the mouth of our rivers, may be fully
stocked.

LOBSTERS AND EELS.

The twenty-four mature lobsters, to which were attached about
two million egga nearly ready to hatch, brought frcfm the Atlantic
in 1879, were placed in a sheltered cove near the Golden Gate. No
person, so far as we can learn, has asyel tried to capture any of them,

and mmc have been i [dentally caught. A.s all the conditions

med favorable, we have no doubt the young are growing, and
that, during the coming Summer, we shall hear of California lob-
sters having been taken and brought to market.

Occasionally we hear of an eel being captured, but as ye! they
have not showed an increase in proportion to that of other imported
fish.

EAS rERN AND CALIFORNIA '1 KOI E

We each Winter hatch the eggs of large numbers of both th
varieties of trout, and distribute them in streams indifferent parts
of the State. T!m' South Yuba and the North Fork of the American
Rivers, which originally contained no fish above the high fails on
each stream, are now well stocked with both kind- of trout. We
have also stocked oth< rhich naturally lined no fish,

or from which all the fish had been caught.

: [SH-WAYS.

Whenever we have learned that theps - for fish are obstructed

by artificial dam.- in any stream-, we have notified the owners of
such obstructions to remove them, or construct fish-ways, so as to
permit tie- free passage of fish. When the owners neglect or refuse
to comply with the law. we place the matter in the hands of th'- 1>i~-
triet Attorney of the county for prosecution. The law controlling the
subject is deemed wise and beneficial, and only in a lew cases has it
been found necessary to do more than call the attention of the
offending parties to its requirements.

At the last session of the Legislature an Act was passed "To pro-
vide for removing obstructions in Pit River,above the mouth of Hat
( reek, so as to enable salmon to reach the spawning grounds on the
upper waters of said river and its tributaries."

At the place designated on the Pit, there is a fall of forty-one feet.
The salmon in vast numbers reach the foot of this fail, and are now
unable to pass. If a passage were made over this fall through which
the fish could pass, they would find on the upper waters of the Pit
and its tributaries, between two and three hundred miles of unob-
structed spawning grounds. This would make an area of spawning
ground equal to that now used by salmon in all the other tributaries
of the Sacramento. Therefore, the removal of this obstruction should ,
in a few years, even if artificial propagation were discontinued, more
than double the present number of salmon annually visiting the

14

Sacramento River. In addition, a passage for li-li over this natural

3truction would give the rapidly increasing population of the
northeastern portion of the State an abundance of fish. This Acl
provides that the Fish Commissioners should advertise for proposals,
and let a contract for a fish-way over this fall, and makes an appro-
priation of three thousand dollars, with which to pay the cost and
incidental expenses of this work.

Asa preliminary to advertising, we appointed A. \V. Yon Schmidt,
from his known reputation as a civil engineer, to make a survey and
sketch of this fall, so that of the various fish-ways in use that besl
adapted to the situation might be selected. On the approval of his
plan, an advertisement was published in different newspapers, as
required by law. When the bids were opened, it was found that the
lowest was that of Mr. S. (J. Mooers, for 82,100. Contracts, in dupli-
cate, were made out and sent to him for his signature. After some
wicks he wrote, stating that he could not do the work for the amount
of his bid. We then wrote to E. E. Van Sickel, F. H. Kenyon, and
\V. H. Kenyon, the only other bidders, who had proposed to do the
work for 82.300, stating the facts as to Mooers' refusal, and asked
them if they would contract to do the work, during the coming Sum-
mer, for the amount of their bid, 82,300. They replied that they
would, and contracts have been signed by them, dated January 5,
iss]. The work is to be completed betwreen August 1, and Novem-
ber 1, 1881.

This Act is peculiarly worded. Section four says: "When the
work is completed, approved, and accepted by the Fish Commission-
ers, they shall certify the amount due upon said contract or con-
tracts, and the amount due for advertising and other necessary
expenses incurred by them in carrying out the provisions of this;
Act to the State Board of Examiners, and when approved by said
Board, the amount shall be paid out of the General Fund in the
State treasury."

The Controller construes this Act to mean that none of the inci-
dental expenses, such as surveying and advertising, can be paid
until the whole work is completed. These necessary expenses, pre-
liminary to letting the contract, amount to about $250, and, as the
persons who have performed the work should be paid for their
services, we have to request that a supplemental Act should be
passed, allowing the Board of Examiners to audit these accounts,
and the Controller to draw his warrant on the appropriation made
for this purpose.

BAY AND COAST FISH.

Accompanying this will be found a report from Mr. W. X. Lock-
ington giving a general and popular description of the most impor-
tant of the fishes hitherto discovered in the inland and coast waters
of the Pacific Coast, U. S. A. In this work he has had the benefit of
the notes and discoveries of Professors Jordan and Gilbert, who, as
the representatives of the Smithsonian Institute and the United States
Census Bureau, have been engaged on this coast, during the past
summer, in studying its fish fauna. Many of these fishes are
known only by descriptions lately published in the Proc. U. S.
Nat. Museum. Mr. Lockington's statements of the habits and
migrations, as well as of the places, upon our coast, where par-
ticular varieties of food fish are most abundant, if studied by

15

our fishermen, would be of service in promoting their indus-
try. His statistics and investigations in connection with the rap-
idly increasing codfish business of this coast have much interest
in showing that the codfish banks are probably as extensive
and inexhaustible as those of Newfoundland. As population
increases on the Pacific Coast and new markets are found for
the cured fish, this industry will be found capable of great enlarge-
ment, and thus promote varied industries and furnish employment
to a large number of men and boy>.

APPROPRIATION AND EXPENDITURES..

There is herewith appended a detailed account of the appropria-
tion received and expenditures incurred since our last report. We
have soughl to exercise tin- great onomy consistent with the

work to be performed. With the experience we have obtained dur-
ing ten years, it is believed that no money has en expended in
doubtful experii \\ e now know that the money of the people

appropriated tor fish culture is resulting in the production of a large
increase of valuable and nutritious loud, which is sold to the consum-
ers at low prices. We also know that fish culture, by the State, is
udding to the industries of tie- people and increasing the public
wealth.

It is with gratification we add that our work seems to be appre-
ciated by the public a- one of increasing importance. We are look-
ing tor the time when the public will also appreciate tic necessity of
sustaining the offi i of the law in performing their duties in
restraining illegal fishi .

16

K E P O K T

II'ON THF.

EDIBLE FISHES OF THE PACIFIC COAST, U. S. A.

BY W. N. LOCKINGTON.

Since the publication of the last report of the Fish Commissioners
of this State, more than forty new species have been described, the
greater part of them by Professor D. S. Jordan and his assistant, Mr.
Gilbert, both of the United States Fish Commission. Beside these
hitherto unknown forms, our fauna has been enriched by the dis-
covery of the occurrence upon our coast of numerous previously
known species of pelagic habits, most of them either belonging to
the Elasmobranchii (sharks and rays), or to the mackerel and allied
families.

These discoveries, notwithstanding the elimination of several
nominal species, raise the total number of California fishes to two
hundred and seventy-eight.

If to this number are added thirty-four species occurring in Oregon
and Washington Territory, and not yet recorded from our State, we
arrive at a grand total of three hundred and twelve species belonging
to the Pacific Coast of the United States.

This number includes the native species only; but the following
introduced species are of more or less frequent occurrence in our
markets, and must be considered as forming part of our supply of
food fishes: Striped Bass, Roccus lineatus; Shad, Alosa sapidissima;
Common Carp, Carassius vulgar is; Catfish (two species), Amiurus catus,
Amiurus albidus.

Several other Eastern species have been introduced, but have not
yet become of common occurrence.

For the greater portion of the facts brought together in the follow-
ing pages, I have to thank Professor D. S. Jordan, who kindly placed
his notes at my disposal, and assisted me in many other ways, and
his indefatigable assistant, Mr. C. Gilbert. These gentlemen have
made a more thorough investigation of the fish fauna of our coast
than has ever been made before, so that the present year has been
more fruitful in facts of scientific and economic interest than any
preceding one since the date of publication of the explorations and
surveys lor a railroad route from the Mississippi to the Pacific.

My own observations have necessarily been for the most part con-
fined to the neighborhood of San Francisco; the supply brought to
the markets of this city ; and the specimens in various collections,
especially that of the California Academy of Sciences.

17

LIST OF THE FISHES OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

ABBREVIATIONS USED.

F. W. Fresh water.

Point <'oncepcion, southward.

< '. X. Point Concepcion, norttrw

Eni ; ; e coast . commonest south.
E. ' - sommonest north.
J'. 6. PugetSoun.l.

Blank Entire coast.

F Monterey and San Francisco.

F. S San Francisco, southward.

F. X. San Fra ward.

S. D. San Diego, southward.

B. N Santa Barbara, northward.

ORIGIN W. DKSCRI1

- Gir

J. & <;. .- Jordan and i

Ay V-

Ln.

Qr. . ... . Cooper.

St ner.

Gnth. Giintl

B. & G. Bi ird.

Pal. Pallas.

Cuv. Cuvier.

Val. Val

L. Linneus.

-. A

Rich. 1:

Rafinesque.

. Walbaum.

i Hi..-!- !, . in full.

PLECTOGN v nil.

< (rthagoriscida

Mola rotunda, Cuv 1'

Diodon maculatus, I. a.-. 8. I'.

odontida —
Tetrodon politus,Gir S. D.

nil.
Syngnathidse —

Qgnathus punctipinnis, Gill <". s.

Qgnathus califon r B. X.

ithus dimidiatus, Gill C. S.

Syngnathus leptorhynchua, Gir S. D.

Hippoeampids
Hippocampus ingens, Gir S. D.

HF.MIBRAN'CIIII.

Gasti ■ —

Gasterosteus us var. - .Ay ' F. X".

G isteros - ci- micr phalus, Gir .

Eucalia Williams F. W.

Aulorhynchidse —

A.ulor] llavidus, Gill C. N.

HETEROSOMATA.

Pleuronectidse—

Hippoglossus vulgaris, Fleming F. X.

Hippogloss rdani, Ln C. X.

Hippog lis, J. a G C. X'.

Atheresthes stomias, J. <fe G F.

Psettichthya melanostictus, Gir ('. I .

Paralichthys maculosus, Gir ]-

Xystreurys liolepis, J. & G C. S.

harichthys sordidus, Gir

Glyptoeephaluszachirus, Ln F.

Cynicogli ssus paeificus, Ln C. X".

Pleuroi ellatus, Pal C. X.

Pleuronichthys decurrens, J. & G. F.

Pleuroniehthvs coenosus, Gir E. X\

Pleuronichthys verticalis, J. & G F.

Hypsopsetta guttulata, Gir 1-

Parophrys vetulus, Gir B. X.

Parophrys isolepis, Ln. F. X*.

Lepidopsetta bilineata. Ay C. X.

Aphoristia atrieauda, J. &G S. D.

32

18

\N ICANTHIN1,

Gadida —

M icrogadua proximus, Gir. C. N.

Pollachius chalcograrumus, Pal 0. N.

Merluciua productus, Ay. B. X.

Brosraophycis marginatus, Ay P.

< Iphidiidse —

Ophidium taylori, Gir B. N.

Zoarcidse —

Lycodopsia paucidens, Ln. P.

Lycodopsis pacificus, Collett. P. N.

ACANTHOPTERI.

Blennidse —

Cebedichthys violaceus, Gir C. N.

Anarrhiehthys ocellatus, Gir C. N.

Ail"] 'la rein is atropurpureus, Kittlitz C. N.

Mursenoides nebulosus, Schlegel C. N.

Mureenoides laetus, Cope --C. N.

Apodichthys flavidus, Gir. C. N.

Apodichthys fucorum, J. & G C. N.

Xiphi'ster mucosus, Gir C. N.

Xiphi'ster chirus, J. <& G C. ^.

Xiphi'ster rupestris, J. & G • C. N.

Lumpenus anguillaris. Pal F. N.

Cremnobates monophthalmus, Gnthr.=integripinnis, Ros. Smith S. D.

Gibbonsia elegans, Cr ! F. 8.

Heterostichus rostratus, Gir F. S.

Neoclinus satiricus, Gir F. S.

Neoclinus blanchardi, Gir F. S.

Hypleurochilus gentilis, Gir C. S

Batrachidre —

Porichthys porosissimus, Cuv. & Val

Traehinidee —

Icosteus senigmaticus, Ln F. N.

Icichthys lockingtoni, J. & G F.

Caulolatilus anomalus, Cr. (=princeps?) F. S.

Trichodon stelleri F. N.

T rachy pteri d re —

Trachypterus altivelis? Kner F. N.

Liparididse — ■

Liparis pulchellus, Ay _ C. N.

Neoliparis mucosus, Ay C. Is.

Gobiesocidae —

Gobiesox reticulatus, Gir C. N.

Gobiidse —

Gilliehthys mirabilis, Cr M. S. (and N.?)

Lepidogobius gracilis=Gobius lepidus, Gir. F. N.

Lepidegobius new berry i, Gir. '•

Crystallogobius eos, Rosa Smith S. D.

Agonidse —

Podothecus vulsus, J. & G. F.

Podothecus trispinosus, Ln. E. S.

Brachyopsis verrucosus, Ln F.

Brachyopsis xyosternus, J. AG F.

Triglidre —

Prionotus stephanophrys, Ln -F.

Cottidre —

Artedius pugettensis, Str. F. ft.

Artedius quadriseriatus, Ln F.

Artedius lateralis, Gir F. N.

Artedius notospilotus, Gir B. N.

Hemilepidotusspinosus '. F.

Hemilepidotus gibbsii, Gill F. N.

Leptocottus armatus, Gir

Aspicottus bison, Gir F. N.

Liocottus hirundo, Gir C. S.

19

Oligocottus globiceps, Gir C. X.

Oligocottus maculosus, Gir c. X.

Hi analis, Gir. F. S.

Scorpsenichthys marmoratus, II y

TTranidea gulosus. Gir __F. W.

Uranidea asper Rich) Gir. F. W.

Ascelichthya rhodorus, J. & G . F. X.

Bli Pal ..F. X.

Nautichthya oculo-fasciatus, Uir .. F. .X.

Chiridae —

/..in oleps latipinnia, 'iir F. X.

Oxylebiua pictus, <'ill F. X.

Myriolepia zonifer, Ln

Chirua decagrammus, Pal C. X.

CI. lie, Ay F. X.

Ophiodou elongatus, Gir 0. X.

Anoplopoma fimbria, Pal F. X.

i aida —

Scorptena guttata, Gir. (\ s.

Sebastichthya trigrocini I _ F. X.

Sebastichthys Berrio G ,

Sebastichthys chrysomelas, J. . G. fasciatus, G . . F. 8.

Sebastichthys nebulosus, Ay I

Sebastichthys carnatus, J. i G. F. S.

Sebastichthya maliger, J. A G. I-'. X.

bastichthya caurinus, Rich. Var. < E. X.

Sebastichthya rastrelliger, J. A G F. S.

bastichthya auriculatua, Gir. ._. !',. X.

Sebastichthya rubrivincl

Sebastichthya ruber, Ay. B. X'.

Sebastichthya conatellatus, J. . B. X.

bastichthya ; 'iir I;. X.

latichthya rhodochloris, •' . a < ..

Sebastichthys chlorostictu .'..'. G.

Seb h v> miniatus, F. s.

Sebastichthya pinniger, Gill . X.

Sebastichthya atrovirena, J. & G F. s.

Sebastichthya elongatus, .\v F.

bastichthya proriger, J. & »i _ F.

bastichthya ovalis, Ay. 1

Sebastichthya entomelas, -I. A- G

bastichthys mystinus, J. &G. . Ay.

chthys ciliatus, Tilcsius=melanops, Grd.:=simu I !". X.

Sebastichthys flavidus, Ay |

Seb paucispinis, Ay. I". s.

Stromateidse —

Stromateus simillimus, Ay.

ncrid;p —

1 >'!lu>. Gnthr. i

Trachurus saurus, Raf. ______ F. S.

Seriola lalandi, Cuv. & V . - . 3.

Echeneididse —

Rernora jacobsea, I. owe F.

Bcheneia naucrates, L F.

Xiphiidse —

Xiphias gladius,L C. -.

Scombridae —

Scomber pneumatophorus, De la Eoche F. -.

8 jc ~ua, L, ..Straying to Santa Catalina Id.

Scomberomorus concolor, Ln *____ F.

Sarda chilensis, Cut. & Val.=Pelamys lineolata, Grd F. S.

Orcynua alalonga, Gmelin _" F. S.

Orcynus pelamys ? (sp. not seen.) Ln C. S.

Coryphaenida. —

Coryphnna hippurus? L Cayucos.

Pomacentridse —

Hypsipops rubicundus, Gir c. s.

Chromis punctipinnis, Cr. c. -.

Chromis atrilobata, Gill ('. -.

20

Labrida —

I'i.M 3 glossus semicinctus, Ay C.

Pseudojulis modestus, <^ir F. 8.

Pin opon putcber, Ay F. S.

Embiotocidse —

Hypsurus c . S ; F. 8.

Ditrema jac , Gir,

Ditrema laterale, Ag B. N.

Ditrema atripes, J. A G. F.

Ditrema furcatum, Gir F. 8.

Damalichthys argyrosomus=vaeca, Gir I

Amphisticbua argenteus, Ag. . F, 8.

Rhacochilu . Ag F. 8.

Eolc QOtus rhodoterus, A<_r !•'. 8.

Holconotus argenteus, Gibbons --.!•'. 8.

Holconotus agassizii, Gill B. N.

Eolconotus anal is, A. Ag C. N.

( lymatogaster aggregatus, Gibbons E. 1ST.

Bra< frenatus, Gill

Brachyistius rosaceus, J. & G , F.

Abeona minima. < ribbons • F. S.

Abeona aurora. J. & G F.

Hysteroearpus traskii, Gibbons F. W.

Sciaenidte —

Corvina saturna, Gir C. S.

Roncador stearnsii, Str ' '■

Genyonemus lineatus, Ay F. S.

Umbrina xanti, Gill *'• s-

Cynoscion parvipinnis, Ay ._ C. S-

Cynoscion nobilis, Ay F. S.

Seripbus politus, Gir F. S.

Menticirrus undulatus, Gir C. S.

Ephippidaa — ■
Parephippus faber, Bloch=Ephippus zonatus, Gir F. S.

Separidas —

Girella nigricans, Ay F. 8.

Scorpis californiensis F'. S.

Percidte —

Xeicehthys californiensis, Str S. D.

Prist ipoma davidsoni, Str C. S.

Stereolepis gigas, Ay F. 8.

Serranus clathratus, Gir. F. S.

Serranus nebulifer, Gir F. S.

Serranus maculofaseiatus, Str C. S.

Arehoplites interruptus, Gir F. W.

Ammodytidse —

Ammodytes personatus, Gir F. N.

Sphyrsenida? —
SphyraBna argentea, Gir F. S.

PERC2S0CES.

Atherinida? —

Atherinopsis californiensis, Gir F. 8.

Atberinops affinis, Ay C. S.

Leuresthes tenuis, Ay S. D.

Mugilidse —

Mugil mexicanus, Str F. S.

SYNENTOGNATHI.

Scomberesocidse —

Scomberesox brevirostris, Peters F. S.

Tylosurus cxilis, Gir C. S.

Hemirampbus rosse, J. &G C. S.

Exocsetus californiensis, Cr C. S.

HAPLOMI.

Cyprinodontidse- -

Fundulus parvipinnis, Gir C. S.

Cyjjrinodon californiensis, Gir S. I).

21

M.NDYLI.

Synodontidse —

Qodua lucioceps, Ay "• s-

dae —
Sudis ringens, J & G ' '• s-

ielida —
Myctophum crenulare, J. & G G. S.

Alepidosauridse —

Alepidosaurus borealis, Gill F. N.

Salmonida — ■

Osmerus thaleichthys, Ay C.N.

Osmerus attenuatus, Ln. ■

Kypomesus olidus, Pal. '' • -N--

Oncorhynch , Walb. tsuppitch, Rich - Sac. Riv. X.

Oncorhynchua gorbuscha, Wall, Sac. Rjv. X.

Oncorhynchus quinnat, Rich Ventura Riv. X.

Oncorhynchua kisutch, Wall., cam-, Buckley

ilar mykiss, Wall, Riv. of Mont. Hay. X.

Balar irideus, G I --- ■ "•

lawi, Gill Ar Jor

dar clarki, Rich. : Mont-

niallna. Wall.. -;■

Coregonus williamaoni, <;ir I

■Clupeidse —

A Ha i la vulpes, I - -- '

Clnpea mirabilis, <iir '

Clupea Bagax, Jenyna

Btolephorua ringens, Jenyns.. --'

Btolephorus compn ' ■ S.

Btolephorua delicatissirm -»■ ''■

I I . BI.

ostomida —

itostomus occidentalis, < l i r

Catostomus labiatus, Ay j' • «.

Cal 3, J V.vf.

Cyprinida —

Orthodon tnicrolepid .tus, Ay F. W.

ila conformis, B. & G 1 F. W.

la grandis, Ay F. W.

Gila rapax, Gir F. W.

i crassicanda, <Jir F. W .

Myloleucus bicolor, Gir Klamath Lake.

Myloleucus formosus, Gir F. W.

Cheonda crassa, <'.ir F. W.

nia exilicanda, B. & G F. \\ .

Lavinia harengus, Grd F. W.

I..i\;n i, Ay F. W.

Notemigonus occidental! F. W.

michthys insequilobus, B. & G F. W.

michthys symmeti & G

Pogonichthys argyriosus, B. .V: G F. W.

Mj don conoi •. Ay F. W.

APO:

Muraanidse—

Mursena inordax, Ay '

Myrichthys tigrinus, Gir Humboldt Bay.

Ophisuridae—

Ophichthys triserialis. Kaup C. S.

CHOXDROSTEI.

Acipenseridse —

Acipenser transmontanus. Rich F. N.

Acipeuser medirostris, Ay.=A. acutirostris, Gnthr F. N.

22
CLASS ELASMOBRANCHIL

HOLOCEPHALI.

Cbimaeridse —

i imsera o'lliei, Bennett C. X.

PLAGIOSTOMI.

Dasybatidse —

Urolophus halleri, Cr

Pteroplatea marmorata, Cr ' '■ 8>

Dasybatis dipterurus, J. & G S. 1>.

Myliobatidae —

Myliobatis californicus, Gill 1'"- s-

_<Etobatis laticeps, Gill '•'

Cephalopteridse —

Manta birostris. Walb S. D.

Raiidae —

Raia cooperi, Gir C. N.

Raia binoculata, Ay F.

Eaia rhina. J. & G.1 C. X.

Raia stellulata, J. & G __F.

Zapteryx exasperatus, J. <fe. G °- 1^-

Rbinobatidse —

Rhinobatus productus, Ay F. S.

Rhinobatus triseriatus, J. <fe G F. S.

Torpedinidse —

Torpedo californica, Ay F.

SYUALI.

Squatinidae —

Squatina angelus, Dumeril F. 8.

Heterodontidae — ■

Heterodontus francisi, Gir ' • S-

Hexanchida? —

Xotorbynchus maculatus, Ay F. N.

Hexanebus eorinus, J. & G F. -s-

Alopecidae —

Alopias vulpes, Gmelin F.

Scylliidae —

Catulus ventricosus, Garman F. S.

Lamnida? —

Isurus oxyrbyncbus, Raf. C. S.

Carcharodon carcharias, L.=rondeletii, Muller & Henle F. S.

Lamna cornubica, Gmelin

Cetorbinidae —

Cetorbinus maximus, L F.

Galeorhinida —

Galeorhinus galeus, L F. S»

Galeoeerdo ti grin us, Muller & Henle S. D.

Carcbarinus glaucus, L F. N.

Eulamia lamia, Risso S. D.

Triads semifaseiatus, Gir

Rhinotriacis henlei, Gill • F.

Mustelus hinnulus, Blainville F. S.

Sphyrnidae —

Sphj'rna zygaena, L S. D.

Spinacidse —

Squalus acanthias, L --C. X.

MAESIPOBRAXCHII.

Petromyzontidae —

Entosphenus tridentatus, Ricb F. X.

Ammocoetesplumbeus, Ay F. X.

Mvxinidae —

Polistotrema dombeyi, Muller=Bdellostoma stouti, Ln F. X.

23

CIRBOBTOMI.

ihiostomatidse —
Branchiostoma lanceolatuni S. D.

FISHES OF OREGON AND WASHINGTON TERRITORY,

NOT VKT <>N RECORD, FROM THE COAS1 IA.

Heterosomata —

Hippoglossoides i I tssodon, J. & G. P. s-

Parophryc ischyrus, P- S.

Anacanthini —

Gadua morrhud, Tilesius - P

Seytalina cerdale, J. a G. 1'

ihinidae —
Bath m jnatua, Cope P. 8.

—
paris cyclopus, Gnthr ?

iboli —
Eumicotremua orbis, Gill - — - aver Id.

Agonidse —

Aapidophoroidea inermia, Gnthr —

Podotbecua acipenserinus, Pal I L N.

Botbragonu , ?

( lottidt

Psychrolutea paradoxus, Gnthr.. ?

Cottua polyacanthocephaluB, Pal.. - P

Chirid

leri, TilesiuB.. I 1. X.

Chirus neb rir '■'

Scorpsenid
Sebastichthya caurinus, Rich P. S.

Paralepid
Paraiepia coruscana, J. k. G P

i elide —
Myctophum procellarura, Bean ?

ion idee —

Thaleichthya pacificua Columbia R. and P

Oncorhynchua nerka, Walb Columbia R. and 1

Oncorhynchus kennerlyi, 3 . Columbia R.

Mursenidaa —

imichthys avocetta, J. & G P. -■

Scymnidas —

Bomniosus microcephalus, Bloch P

RVKNTOGNATHI.

Catostomidae —

Catostomua longirost) -. Li - ir P. W.

F. \V.

Lyponjyzon luxatus, < lope F. W.

Lypomyzon breviros F. W.

CYPRIMK.E.

Gila l>icolor, Grd Klamath Lake, Or.

Gila oregonensis, Rich F. W.

Cheonda cooperi, Gir F. "W.

Cheonda coerulea, Gir F. W.

Richardaonius balteatus, Rich F. W.

Richard-;' hi i us lateralis, Gir F. W.

Apocope nubilus, Gir F. W.

Mylochilus caurinus, Kich. F. W.

24

The fishes, the names of which are printed in italics, are not
included in the published list by Messrs. Jordan and Gilbert in
the Proc. U. S. Nat Mus., because not seen by them, yet by reliable
report occur in our waters. It is probable thai several additional
sies of pelagic fishes, especially those of the mackerel and allied
families, will be found to occur at San Diego, the marine fauna of
which place is largely that of Lower California.

The ranges given for the species must not be regarded as final, but
simply as the range now on record. As there is no fishery of any
importance between Tom ales Bay and the mouth of the Columbia,
it is probable that several species now believed to be extra-Califor-
nian occur in the northern part of our State, and that many not on
record north of San Francisco extend much farther northward.

h i:t eroso m a t a — flatfis in:-.

Much additional information respecting the flatfishes of the Pacific
Coast has been gathered together since the date of the last report.
The thirteen species there enumerated have, by the researches of Pro-
fessor D. S. Jordan, been increased to twenty-one, seventeen of which
are known to occur, more or less frequently, in the markets of San
Francisco, and nineteen on the coast of California. Three species of
the genus Hippo glossoides are now known, as well as three of Pleu-
ronichthys, and the species of Parophrys are increased from one to
three, but all the other species are the sole representatives of their
genera upon this coast.

It is the custom of the dealers to lump together all the flatfishes,
except the two kinds called halibut, that known as "turbot," and
Pleuronedes stellatus, commonly called the flounder, and to sell them
all at the same price. Yet it is tolerably well known that the Turbot
{Eypsopsetta guttulata), the Black-dotted Sole (Psettichthys melanos-
tidus), and the Long-finned Flounder (Glyptocephalus zachirus) are
superior to the others for the table.

Hippoglossus vulgaris, Halibut — The halibut of this coast is now
known to be identical with that of the Atlantic. The Farallone Islands
and Monterey appear to be the most southern point at which this fish is
found, but it becomes abundant off Cape .Mendocino and Humboldt
Bay, and more so northward of California. It is essentially a northern
species, and in Europe occurs around the coasts of England and Ire-
land, but becomes more abundant at the Orkneys, and is common on
the coasts of Norway and Iceland. On the Atlantic coast its southern
limit appears to be Massachusetts Bay. It will be seen that on the
Pacific Coast its range extends further southward than in the Atlan-
tic, a fact probably accounted for by the equable temperature of the
ocean along the coast from San Francisco to the Columbia. _ The
mean Summer temperature of the ocean at the Golden Gate is 58°
Far., while at the mouth of the Columbia it is 60°, or slightly higher.
In the Winter it is 53° off the Golden Gate, and 50° off the mouth
of the Columbia. Thus it is evident that the temperature off the
Golden Gate cannot be very unsuitable to fish that are at home off
the mouth of the Columbia. The halibut is a deep water fish, and
does not enter land-locked bays like those of Humboldt or Tomales.

When the large and abundant supply of this fish is considered, it
is a matter of wonder that so small a quantity is smoked or canned
for market. There is a prejudice in favor of Eastern halibut, which,

doubtless to some extent, hinders the development of this branch of
business. The North Pacific Canning Company can some halibut at
Klawack, Prince of Wales Island, and it is said to be of good quality.

The endeavor to bring fresh halibut to San Francisco from Puget
Sound does dot appear to have been financially successful. A
schooner load suddenly brought into a market already fully stocked
wiib fish caused the price to fall to about ten cents per pound, and
much of it could not be disposed of at that price.

Professor Jordan mentions a large halibut bank near ( Jape Flattery,
and states that considerable numbers are taken with hook and line
in the deeper channels of Puget Sound, north of which point it
comes more abundant, b upon large fishes, such as codfish.

Hippoglossoides jordani, Large-eyed Flounder — it appears strange
that this common species should have escaped the notice of nat-
uralists until Last year. In the markets of San Francisco it
abounds throughout every month of the year, and in Monterey
Hay is the most abundant of its tribe. Professor Jordan informs
me thai about 500 pounds weight of this fish are taken daily at
Monterey alone by the Chines quantities taken by

the Italians An examination >ck in trad.' of tie- Chinese

located near Monterey, proved that over nineteen-twentieths of the
Jish that dry on hurdles and flap in the wind around the hovels con-
sisted of this fish; a few shark-, with !' hys melanost ictus and
( itharichthys sordidua constituting tie- remainder.

It occasionally reaches sixteen inches or more in length, and a
weight of five pounds, and is considered 01 fits tribe, but

is inferior to the black-dotted flounder, the turbot, and one or two
others. It becomes rare northward, yet occurs in Puget Sound; south
of Monterey it is not on record.

Hippoglossoides exilia, Large-scaled Flounder — This species is
• lily distinguished from the preceding by ii- much more slender
form, ami by the large size of the scales, which are very delicately
ciliate on their hinder edge. Th ery large, their longi-

tudinal diameter contained about :;'. times in the . of the bead.

The greatest depth is contained about ■'>'■ times in the total length.

In July it was tolerably common in the markets of San Fran-
cisco, and its previous rarity is probably ■ oned by the fact that
it is only taken in tolerably deep water, and is too small to be con-
sidered of much value.

The specimens 1 have seen were from eight to ten inches in lenj
and three quarters of a pound in weight. It occurs in I'uget Sound,
but is not very common.

Hippoglossoides elassodon — -Unlike the two preceding species, this
has only a single row of small teeth in the upper jaw. The scales
are small, so that it can readily be distinguished from 11. exilis, while
from 11. jordani it differs externally in the more strongly ciliated
scales, and slightly more anterior origin of the dorsal fin.

The example in Mus. Cab Ac. Sci. was taken by Professor Jordan at
Seattle, at which port and at Tacoma he reports it as tolerably
abundant. It reaches a length of one foot, and a weight of about two
pounds.

Athi resthes stomias, the Hook-toothed Flounder — Isolated examples
of this species, of fifteen to eighteen inches in length, have several
times occurred in the markets of San Francisco during this year, but
do not appear to have been noticed previous! v.
42

26

In form it is extremely slender, the greatesl width scarcely extend-
ing one fourth of the total length, and tapering rapidly toward both

tremities. The head enters about lour and a half times in the

total Length, and is narrow, with an immense mouth, the upper jaw

of which • Is in length the one half of that of the head. The

re aim* n in front, the upper one placed almost across the

top of the head, and looking toward the dorsal outline. The teeth

are uumerous.in a double row in both jaws, irregular in size, hooked

incurved canines interspersed among smaller upright teeth. The

ies arc large and soft, resembling in their character those of

larichthys sordidus, and the color is a dirty yellow.

Very few examples have yet been found in our markets, and most
of these have been secured for scientific purposes.

The range of this species is not ascertained.

Glyptocephalus zachirus, Long-finned Flounder — Up to the present
time this species is only known from the markets of San Fran-
cisco, to which it is brought from deep water near Point Reyes,
some thirty miles north of the city. It is comparatively rare,
seldom more than three or four are offered for sale on any one day,
and it is not brought in at all in the winter. It attains a length of
eighteen inches, and a weight of about two pounds, and is held in
high esteem. Hitherto it is only known to occur in Monterey Bay
and in the vicinity of San Francisco. As its mouth is too small for
the hook, and its habitat too deep for the gill-nets, it is taken chiefly
in sweep-nets.

Oynicoglossus pacificus, Short-finned Flounder — This is the Glypto-
cephalus pacificus of the report of the Fish Commissioners for 1879.
It is usually brought to market from the same place as the preceding
species, but is known to occur atother points from Monterey to Puget
Sound. It occurs in the market much more abundantly than the last
species, vet the adults cannot be said to be common. In size and
flavor it does not equal G. zachirus. When fresh it is excessively
slimy to the touch.

Pleuronichthys decurrens, Bastard Turbot — The s_pecies described
by me as P. coenosus Girard (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 9, , 1879) was there
surmised to be the Pleuronectes quadrituberculaius of the old Russian
naturalist Pallas. It differs from Girard's coenosus in the presence
of tubercles upon the side of the head on the colored side. It is now
known not to be Pallas' species, and has been named decurrens by
Jordan and Gilbert.

This fish is now of more frequent occurrence in our markets than
formerly, and becomes more abundant towards the south. It reaches
about a foot in length, and a weight of from two to three pound-.

Pleuronichthys verticalis, Spine-cheeked Turbot — This form was
first noticed as a separate species by Professor Jordan, and was des-
cribed by him from specimens found in San Francisco market. In
1879 I obtained a small example of this fish, but did not venture to
describe it as distinct, although some of its peculiarities are noted
in my review of the Pleuronectidse (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 1879, 99).

The dorsal fin is not carried downwards on the blind side of the
head so far as in the previous species; the cheek is without spines,
the posterior extremity of the interorbital ridge is developed into a
backward directed spine, and the anterior into two shorter upright
spines. This species has occurred in our markets during the present
year with tolerable regularity. In Monterey Bay it is of common

27

occurrence, and attains a length and weight equal to the preceding.

Pleuronichthys comosus — The P. coenosus of Girard proves to be a
distinct species, and not, as surmised in my review of the Pleuro-
nectidse (Pro. U. S. Nat. Mus. 1879, 99) identical with the one known
as decurrens. In this form there are no tubercles on the cheeks, and
the dorsal fin is like that of verticalis, but the tubercles between the
eyes are not developed into spines and the body is unspotted.

This fish is not often brought to the market of San Francisco, but
occurs along the entire coast from Puget Sound to San Diego.

All the species of Pleuronichthys feed largely on alga-, with which
their stomachs are found to be filled. In this particular they differ
from the carnivorous habits of the other flounders. They all occur
in deep water, and their increasing abundance in our markets shows
that the depauperization of our hays and -hallows is constantly forc-
ing our fishermen into the depths.

rarophrys [Isopsetta) ischyrus — This is a course rough fish, in ist
general appearance greatly resembling the " Flounder," (Pleuronectes
sfcl(otiis) but differing from it in the ctenoid scales, and in the pres-
ence of an accessory lateral line, characters in which it agrees with
the next species. It has hitherto been found only in Puget Sound,
and reaches a length of about eighteen inches.

Parophrysi Isopsetta) isolepis, Rough Even-scaled flounder — I estab-
lished the genu- Isopsetta to contain this species and the preceding,
both of which have the characters of a nearly straight lateral line,
and strongly ctenoid scales of equal development on head and body,
but Prof. Jordan includes them in the same genus with the follow-
ing species:

The examples brought to San Francisco market are usually small,
but Professor Jordan informs me that it attains a length of fifteen
inches, and a weight of three pounds. Its range extends to Puget
Sound. Its occurrence in our markets is irregular, but occasionally
it is abundant, being taken with sweep-nets off Point Reyes.

Parophrys vetulus — This species is abundant from San Francisco
northward, becoming at Puget Sound the commonest of the flat
fishes.

It has been taken by Professor Jordan at Santa Barbara, but
appears to become rare south of Point Concepcion. Those brought
to market are usually quite small, but occasional examples reach a
length of fifteen inches, and a weight of two pounds, or more.

Lepidopsetta bilineata, Mottled Sole — The Platichthys umhrosus of
Dr. Girard (U. S. P. R. R. Rep. X., 149 1858), is identical with the
species described by Ayres, while the LcpuJoj/setta urnbrosa described
by me (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 1879, 106), is the one since described
as Isopsetta isolepis.

This species is found along our coast from Monterey to Alaska, is
rather common about rocky places, and is abundant in Puget Sound.

In size and weight it is about equal to Psettichthys melanostictus and
Hippoglossoides jordani, and in quality ranks with the latter.

Aphoristia atricauda, Black-tailed Sole — This fish, although appar-
ently too rare to be of economic value, since the only specimens
extant are about six in number, and do not exceed six inches in
length, is interesting as the only species of true sole found in Cali-
fornia waters.

The Soleidse have been separated as a distinct family from the
flounders by Dr. Gill, the chief distinguishing character being the

28

smallness or absence of the pectorals. Bui as there is a regular gra-
dation from species with large pectorals to those withoul any, this
character is scarcely definite. In Oynicoglossus the pectorals are very
small.

KAM. GADID.E — COD AND WHITING, ETC.

The < radidae are spineless fishes with cycloid or smooth scales, and
usually with more than one dorsal and more than one anal fin, in
economic importance this family ranks next to the salmon family,
but it is only represented on the Pacific coast, U. 8. A., by four
species.

Gadus morrhua, Codfish — Although this fish does not belong to
the fauna of California, and is not common even at the northern
extremity of the Pacific coast of the United States proper, its eco-
nomic importance renders it necessary to include it in this report.
Dr. Bean, whose mission it has been to investigate the fishes of
Alaska, believes the codfish of Alaska identical with Gadus morrhua,
the common codfish of the banks of Newfoundland, and the adjacent
regions; for the Alaskan cod is not a rock-cod (Sebastichthys), as are
the so-called cod caught in California, nor is it even a hake, pollack,
or whiting; but it is a true codfish, having three separate dorsal fins,
two separate anal fins, and a small barbel under the chin.

It seems strange that such fishes as the species of Sebastichthys,
possessed of rough or ctenoid scales, a spinous dorsal, three spines
upon the anal fin, and numerous more or less developed spines on
the head, should ever be popularly confounded with fishes like the
true cod, which have not a spine upon body, head, or fins, and the
scales of which are smooth or cycloid. Yet the confusion exists, and
the names of cod and rock-cod, applied to the spiny fishes aforesaid,
are the result of the confusion, and in their turn serve to perpet-
uate it.

Whether the cod-fish brought from the Sea of Okhotsh are of the
same species as those from Alaska, remains to be proved.

Compared with the fishery of the Atlantic, that carried on upon
this coast is comparatively insignificant, yet this does not arise from
any scarcity of the fish, which is stated to abound among the numer-
ous islands of the northwest coast, but from the want of a market
sufficiently extensive to permit of its increase. The expense of trans-
continental freight, and the smallness of the population between the
Sierra Nevada and the Rocky Mountains practically limits the mar-
ket to the Pacific States, although small quantities have been sent to
South America, and some have been shipped to Australia.

The fishery was commenced about sixteen years ago, and at that
date the salted fish sold at nine cents per pound. At the present
time the best case cod is quoted at from three and a half to four cents
per pound.

The total catch brought to San Francisco, amounted, in 1878, to
about 1,500 tons, in 1879 to 1,800 tons. Thirteen or more vessels,
large and small, are engaged in the trade, which furnishes employ-
ment, on an average, to about two hundred and fifty hands. The
largest vessels are barks of about 350 tons, each having a crew of
thirty men. The larger vessels are principally employed in the
Okhotsh Sea fishery, while the smaller vessels, fore and aft rigged,
are sent to the shores of Alaska, principally to the Choumagin
Islands.

29

Those which go to the Okhotsh Sea make but one trip annually,
leaving from the middle of March to the end of April, and returning
from the end of June to October. Those which fish at theChoumagin
Islands return earlier than those from the Okhotsh. Sea, and
occasionally take more than one trip. Last year one schooner made
three trips, but her cargo each time was made up from the catch of
other vessels that did not return. The smaller vessels are better fitted
for the tortuous channels among the islands of Alaska than those of
larger size.

On the coast of Alaska the fishery is usually carried on at depths
of from ten to fifteen fathoms, but in the Sea of Okhotsh lines are
used at forty to fifty fathoms. Both trawl lines and angle lines are
used in the cod fishing of this coast. The latter are employed in
deep water, the former where the depth is not too great, and the bot-
tom is clear of rocks. Angle lines are exclusively used in the Sea of
Okhotsh, and frequently also in Alaskan waters. A trawl line con-
sists «if a line to which a number of hooks are attached at regular
distances by means of shorter lines, while a weight is secured to each
end. Several trawl lines are paid out in succession, the position of
each being indicated by mean- of buoys, one of which is fastened to
each end of every trawl line. The trawls used in the Alaska cod
fishery are often six hundred fathoms long 3,000 feet), and bear on
each side a row of hooks at every half fathom, or thereabouts. After
they are paid out, they art.' examined at intervals, and are drawn onci
or twice a day, according to the rate at which the fish take the bait.

An angle line bears two iiooks, kept apart by a piece of wire, and
has a heavy weight attached near the hooks. Each man manages
two line-, one on each side of him, drawing one as soon as he let-
down the other.

The use of the angle line instead of the trawl line in the Sea of
Okhotsh is necessitated partly by the de< p water, hut partly by the
abundance on the sand hanks of a small crustacean, called by the
fishermen a "sand Ilea," which attacks and devours the fish upon
the trawl line before it can be drawn.

The fishermen are paid according to their catch, a fixed sum per
thousand fish. At Kadiak, where some fishing is done, natives are
employed to head, split, and salt the fish, and are paid from seventy-
five cents to one dollar per day. The fish are treated in a manner
similar to that employed in the Newfoundland fishery, the fish as
they are caught are passed to the header, who removes the head ; by
him to the splitter, who cuts open the body and takes out the viscera.
The catch is then stored in pickle, as the salted condition is called,
until its arrival in the Bay of San Francisco, where it is dried in
establishments erected for the purpose.

The quantity given above, as the total of the season's catch, does
not include that taken by local fishermen along the various parts of
the long line of coast between Beh ring's Strait and Puget Sound, at
which latter place it is found, but in small quantity compared with
its abundance in Alaskan waters.

The three principal firms engaged in the cod fishery, are Lynch &
Hough, the Pacific Fish Company, and N. Bichardt & Co. The first
named, which does a somewhat larger business than the second, car-
ries on the fishery exclusively in the Sea of Okhotsh. It employs
about one hundred and twelve men afloat, and from ten to fifteen at
its drying establishment, which is situated at California City, near

30

San Quentin. When the lmlk of the catch comes in, the force od
the shore is increased to about sixty. A1 this establishment the fish
is not dried in hulk, and then piled, as is done upon the Atlantic
coast, and also in some cases on this coast, bul is Kept in pickle, in
tanks of redwood lumber, and dried when required. This method
is doubtless adopted partly on account of the limited demand caused
by tin' small population of this coast, but it is claimed that better
results arc obtained by it. The piled up heaps of fish, however care-
fully dried, arc liable in the more or less foggy atmosphere of our
coast to " sweat" or ferment, to the gr< at detriment of the article.

The tanks used to hold the stock are of redwood three inches thick,
dovetailed at the angles, and without nails or any iron whatever.
The fish are washed before drying, and when the latter process
is complete, are sorted into three sizes; the largest, put up into
wooden cases, are known as "case" fish, and fetch the highest price;
the next size are made into bundles; while the smallest, after hav-
ing been divested of skin, vertebrae, and fins, are cut in halves,
packed in cases, and sold as "boneless codfish." Much of the work
of preparing boneless cod can be done by boys. Great care is taken
to insure perfect cleanliness at every step of the preparation, and in
this respect much of the dried cod of this coast is certainly superior
to that of Newfoundland.

The drying establishment of the Pacific Fish Company is situated
upon a small island in Richardson's Bay, opposite to Saucelito.

The quality of preserved codfish depends, to a great extent, like
that of all other salted articles, upon the quality of the salt used.
The impurities, as they are called, of salt, are simply other ingredi-
ents naturally contained in sea water, and not taken out in the pro-
cess of salt making. Ordinary sea water contains, besides common
salt or chloride of sodium, sulphate of lime or gypsum (the material
of plaster of Paris), and sulphate of magnesia. The proportions in
which these enter into the composition of the solid residue, left after
the evaporation of the water of the sea, may be seen from the follow-
ing analysis: Analysis of water of San Francisco Bav, made Decem-
ber, 1879, by Prof. F. Gutzkow :

Chloride of sodium 0023.756

Chloride of potassium 0000.470

Chloride of magnesium 0003.030

Sulphate of lime 0001.263

Sulphate of magnesium (Epsom salts) 0001.837

Bromide of magnesium , 0000.025

Total solids 0030.381

Water 969.619

1000.000

The salt used in curing codfish, as well as most of that used in salt-
ing meats, hides, etc., is made upon the salt marshes of Alameda
County by the evaporation of sea water. Some makers simply evap-
orate, allowing all the impurities to remain, while others, knowing
the degree of concentration at which the objectionable substances are
deposited, adopt means to obtain really pure salt. Whatever success
may be obtained by others, a personal examination of the works and
methods adopted at the Pacific Union Salt Works has convinced the
writer that the salt obtained by them is as nearly pure as salt can be,
excelling in this respect even the best Liverpool salt, and it is satis-

31

factory to know that the greater portion of the codfish taken on this
coast is cured with the salt made by this company.

The oil from the livers of these fish, which forms a valuable portion
of the industry on the Atlantic coast, is not utilized here, nor are the
"sounds/' or swim bladders, put up for food purposes. As has been
long ago remarked in the Atlantic, the fish occupying deep waters
are superior to those found on the more accessible hanks.

Merlucius productus, A/;., Hake — The Merlucius productus of A.yres
may prove to be identical with the vulgaris of the European coasts.
Until lately the examples brought to the market- of this city sel-
dom exceeded eighteen inches in Length, but during the present
summer the Italian fishermen of Monterey have frequently caught
individuals of two lector more in length, and some of these have
found their way to San Francisco, in consequence of the stout form
of this fish, and its thickness and depth in the pectoral region, its
weight i< proportionately large, reaching eight pounds, or even ten.

Pollachius chalcogrammus, Pal., Pollack — This species, hitherto
believed to be absent from the Californian coast, has lately been
found in the market, to which it was brought from Monterey Bay.
The only other Gadoid fish occurring in California is the well known
Tom-cod (Microgadus proximus), which is not on record south of Mon-
terey Bay, but ranges northward to Alaska.

CHIRID

The somewhat heterogeneous group included under this title con-
tributes at least seven species to tin- fauna of California, all of them
of sufficient size, hut only four of them sufficiently abundant for
use as food. All have the character common to tin- Chiridse, Ago-
nidse, Cottidse, Scorpaenidse, etc., of a bony process uniting the sub-
orbital ring with the preoperculum. Unlike the Scorpaenidse, and
most of the Cottidse, which have three and a half gills, the Chirida
have four, and there is a slit behind the fourth — not present in Scor-
psenids (rock-cod), nor in some Cottoids. The dorsal and anal tins
are usually long, but in Anoplopoma they are short. The scales are
usually ctenoid (rough), but in Ophiodon they are cycloid. The scales
in some species cover the entire body and head, hut in others parts
of the head are scaleless. Chirus has several lateral lines, but the
other genera have but one. Zaniolepis and Oxyli bins have three anal
spines like the Scorp(rini<.hr>, and the latter would he a scorpaenid
were it not for the gill. Anoplopoma looks like a codfish or whiting
and Myriolepis resembles a Serranus, or marine Percoid.

The family altogether is a refuge for a number of species that will
not conveniently fit in anywhere else.

All the genera are confined to the North Pacific, and most of the
species become more abundant northward-.

Myriolepis zonifer, Ln., is as yet known from a single example only,
found in the market of San Francisco. The ctenoid scales cover
body, head, and fins, except dorsal; and its general appearance much
resembles that of a young Jew-fish, Stereolepis gigas. The coloration
is black transverse bands on a whitish ground. Oxylebius pir{n.<<, Gill,
may be known at sight by the six vertical cross bands on a yellow
ground, barred fins, first dorsal of fifteen spines, anal with three, and
especially by its elongated snout and small mouth. It is not very
rare at Monterey, living among rocks in clear water near shore. From

32

its small mouth and peculiar habits it is seldom taken excepl in dip-
nets baited with crushed cralis. [ts range extends northward beyond
( lalifomia.

Chirus pictus, Painted Sea Trout — This species is not at all com-
mon in the San Francisco market, hut heromes more abundant in
higher latitudes. It is often beautifully colored when fresh with
blotches of bright green upon a dark brown ground. In alcohol
these blotches become purple. In size, quality, and food it is identi-
cal with the next species.

Chirus decagrammus, Bodieron, Sea Trout, Boregat — It has always
been supposed that Chirus guttatus, which is covered with yellow
roundish spots upon a bluish gray ground, was perfectly distinct
from Chirus constellatus, which has more or less perfect circlets of
dark spots surrounding areas of a brighter blue than the rest of
the body; but Professor Jordan has examined numerous specimens
of both forms, and finds that all the constellatus are male, while all
the guttatus are female. The two forms always occur together, and
in about equal numbers, and the fishermen consider them identi-
cal. Professor Jordan believes that both names will have to give
place to Ch irus decagrammus, Pallas, which isprobably the same species,
as surmised long ago by Dr. A. Gunther. This species is everywhere
moderately common from San Luis Obispo northward, especially in
Monterey Bay. It is also common in San Francisco Bay, and abun-
dant in the markets throughout the year. It feeds chiefly on Crusta-
cea and worms, and spawns in July. It is a tolerably good food fish,
but inferior to the rock cod or green cod (Opldodon).

It dies very soon after it is taken from the water, and the flesh
softens very quickly. It reaches two or three pounds in weight.

A form with longitudinal series of yellowish blotches along the
sides, once believed by me to be distinct, will probably prove to be
only a variety of the female.

This form is described in the Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus. 1880, 55.

Anoplopoma fimbria, Candle Fish — This, though essentially a
northern form, occurs along the coast as far south as Monterey.
Until recently, it has been rare in the markets of San Francisco,
but last year' it was present in tolerable quantity, and during the
present year (1880) may be almost called common. At Seattle it is
very abundant, and is taken with hook and line from the wharves.
At Monterey the Chinese take it with hook and line, while those
caught outside San Francisco Bay are taken with sweep nets. It
feeds on Crustacea, worms, and small fishes, and reaches a length of
twenty inches, and a weight of four to five pounds. This is not
greatly esteemed as a food fish, but is sometimes fraudulently sold
as Spanish mackerel.

Zaniolepis latipinnis, Long-finned Zany — As this fish has no ver-
nacular title, and is not sufficiently common to acquire one from the
fishermen, that given above is suggested. Though of no importance
as a food fish, its singular appearance merits notice. In color, it is
greenish-yellow, with blackish dots and bars upon the fins, and the
surface of the skin is covered with prickles. These prickles are
comb-like points radiating from scales that are buried in the skin.
The first dorsal spine is long, the second longer, projecting far beyond
the others, and often equal in length to half that of the fish. It does
not exceed a foot in length.

Ophiodon elongatus, Buffalo Cod, Green Cod, Ln.— This has the

33

reputation of being one of the most rapacious fishes of the coast.
The various species of rock cod (Scorpsenidx) often come into the
market mutilated, having lost a portion of the posterior part of the
body. The dealers do not attribute this to the sharks, but to the green
cod, which, they say, seldom or never takes the hook itself, but, dart-
ing out of its hiding place among the rocks in pursuit of the rock
fish upon the hook, is caught and brought up along with it. It
attains far larger dimensions than any of its brethren, among either
the Chiridas or Scorpa nidae, reaching a length of four feet. Its range
extends along the greater part of the coast of California, but it is most
abundant from Monterey northward. Professor Jordan states that it
feeds on Crustacea and squid, as well as upon other fishes; and that
northward from San Francisco it attains a length of five to six feet,
and a weight of from fifty to sixty pounds. The flesh is usually of a
pale livid hue. On various parts of the coasl it is taken with gill
nets, as well as with hook and line. As a food fish it ranks high, and
its size and abundance render it one of the most important species.
Many are dried by the Chinese and Indian-.

l'AM. S( ii|;i'.i:.\[l).K.

The species of rock cod or Sebastichthys, known previous to the
presentyear, were eleven in number, and with Sebastodes paucispinis
and Scorpa na guttata, made a total el' thirteen Scorpa nida peculiar to
the coast of California.

To his own great surprise Professor Jordan has. during his stay here
as Fish Commissioner, more than doubled this list; so that now
twenty-five species of Sebastichthys are known to occur, besides one
more northern form, making, with the other genera, a total of twenty-
seven fishes belonging to this family on the coast of ( alitornia.

Several of the forms described by Professor Jordan had been
observed by the writer on previous occasions in the markets of San
Francisco, but their resemblance to species already described was so
great, the differences amounting often only to the greater or less
development of certain spines upon the head, or to peculiarities of
coloration, that, lacking the facilities for procuring an extended
series, he did not venture to describe any of them as new, the more
because the series of rock cod was already suspected by naturalists to
be too long. But Professor Jordan, by an extended examination
of numerous specimens of every species, of all ages and of both
sexes, has proved that the characters which separate the various
forms, slight though they may at first appear to be, are constant
and thus of specific value. The spines upon the head, by their greater
or less development, serration or by the addition of an extra pair;
the gill-rakers; the form and height of the spinous dorsal; in a few
cases the number of rays of the second dorsals and anal, and in all
the species the pattern of the coloration are the characters relied
upon to distinguish the species. The coloration is very constant in
this group, so much so that a change in its pattern, or even in its
color, is usually significant of a change of species. The twenty-five
species of Sebastichthys all occur in the Bay of Monterey, and many
of them at Santa Barbara, The Portuguese fishermen, who fish in
deep water, give to the species they take distinctive names, and are
perfectly well aware that they are different; but the Italians con-
s' •

34

found the shallow water species under one common title. The spines
upon the top of the head are mosl developed in 8. nigrocinctus, and
in this respecl S. serriceps comes next. Both are rare in the markets
of San Francisco; the firsl the rarer, and both are black-banded. In
the attempt to give his fish a descriptive name, Ayres called the
former nigrocinctus, or black-banded, a name which applies better to
the second species; while serriceps or sawhead would fit nigrocinctus
q better than it fits the species to which it is applied. Ayres
observed serriceps as long ago as 1859, for he remarks to this effect:
"There is in the markets occasionally another fish of the nigrocinctus
type which may eventually prove distinct." The spines or spinous
ridges on the head of the fishes of this genus are an anterior pair upon
the snout (nasals,) a posterior pair on the back of the head (occipitals,)
and between these three pairs which, from their position, are called
pre-ocular, supra-ocular, and tympanic. A pair of post-oculars, dis-
membered from the supra-oculars, is often present, and some have a
pair of spines called " nuchal," behind the occipitals. In nigrocinctus
the nuchal and tympanic pairs are wanting, but the others rise into
high ridges with undulating or jagged edges. In serriceps the nuchal
pair is present, and all the ridges end posteriorly in sharp spines ris-
ing well above the surface of the head.

S. m bulosus, chrysomelas and carnatus are a trio of fishes exceedingly
similar in appearance, differing, in fact, only in coloration, and with
only one or two specimens of each to look at, it is difficult to believe
in their distinctness; yet. when one has seen lying, side by side, a
hundred examples of S. carnatus, all exhibiting red spots in almost
exactly the same positions of the yellow -ones of nebulosus, and when
one has seen a pile of chrysomelas with its characteristic broad yel-
low band from front of dorsal to tail, following nearly the same line
as the principal spots of the nebulosus, and when this color difference
has been correlated with certain differences in the form of the body
and head, it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that we have here
three distinct yet very closely related forms.

S. maliger and S. vexillaris may be known from all others by their
very high spinous dorsal, with the membrane deeply emarginated
between each spine, and from each other by the bright chrome
yellow tint of the former.

In all the foregoing species the jaws are equal in length or nearly
so, and the form of the body is short and thick ; the greatest depth
equal to or more than one third of the length of the fish. Nigro-
cinctus and chrysomelas are remarkable for the great width of the body
at the origin of the dorsal, and for the abruptly shelving form of the
nape and top of head. In the succeeding species the jaws are still
nearly equal, but the body is more elongated. S. rastrelliger may at
once be known by a glance at the gills, or rather at the gill-rakers,
or comb-like teeth set upon the inner or throat side of the bones
bearing the gills. In all the other species these are more or less
elongate, but in this they are often broader than they are long. This
is an exceedingly dark colored species, dark brown, clouded with
still darker, and the dorsal fin is very low.

S. auriculatus, the common rock-fish of the bay, may be identified
by the black spot upon the tip of the gill-cover; S. rubrivinctus, which
rarely, if ever, comes to the markets of San Francisco, by the broad
transverse stripes of red and yellow upon its body; and S. ruber by its
dfeep uniform red tint, large size, and broad, flat preopercular spines.

35

S. auriculatus may also be known by the pair of small coronal spines
near the median line of the skull.

S. condellatus and 8. rosaceus have four or five light pink spots upon
their dorsal outline, and the former is covered on back and flanks
with small white spots. S. chlorostictus is similar to these in many
respects, but may be knuwn by the green spots scattered over its
upper portions and dorsal fin, as well as by the greater height of the
spinous part of the latter.

8. rliodochloris resembles rosaceus. S. minatus is of a deep red tint,
darker even than ruber, and is without the broad, flat preopercular
spines which characterize that species. From 8. pinniger it may be
known by the rough scales which cover the entire head, even to the
tip of the jaws.

S. pimriger, the rosaceus of Ayres, is usually more or less orange,
with maroon blotches, and the fins, except the dorsal, are bright red.
The scales on the head are not rough. Occasionally this species
exhibits large blotches of black.

We started with species in which the spines were well developed,
and have now reached those in which they are either present, hut
slightly developed, or are reduced in number. Moreover, in the
remaining species the lower jaw protrudes beyond the upper, the
protrusion increasing as we proceed.

S. elongatus has its greatest depth contained some four and a hah
times in its total length, and the gill-rakers long, equal to more than
half the diameter of the eye, which is very large. The interorbital
space is slightly concave.

S. proriger is nearly as elongate as the last species, but the outline
of the back is more rounded; the gill-rakers are longer, the eye
smaller, and the forehead or interorbital space is slightly convex.
In both species the body is irregularly banded with lighter and
darker longitudinal bands, and the lateral line lies on a decided
light streak.

S. ovalis may be readily distinguished from the two preceding by
its much more ovate form, as well as by the almost uniform height
of the dorsal, and its still more protruding lower jaw.

In S. entomelas the second anal spine is about equal in length to
the third, the spines upon the head are very small, and hidden by
the scales, and the peritonaeum, or lining of the abdomen, is black,
whence the specific name.

& mystinm=S. melanops — Ay: is the most abundant species in the
markets, and is generally distinguished by dealers as the Black Rock
Cod. Its black color at once distinguishes it from all other species,
the nearest to it in this respect being S. ciliatus, which, however, is
spotted with black upon a gray ground. In S. mystinus, the top of
the head is spineless, but there is a small tubercle in the place of the
preorbital spine, which tubercle is absent in S. ciliatus, which is
identical with S. melanops, Gir., and with S. simulans, Gill.

S.flavidus is greenish yellow, and might be called the Yellow Rock
Cod, were it not for the brighter yellow of some portions of maliger
and rubrivinctus. The projection of the lower jaw reaches its max-
imum in this species, its tip entering into the dorsal outline, and the
gill-rakers are very long and slender, equal in length to three fourths
of the diameter of the eye. In the three last species, the third anal
spine is longest, and the anal rays eight in number. Small nasal
spines are present.

36

Scbasiodcs paucipinis, Small scaled Rockfish, is placed in another
genus on account of its small scales, straight back, and other pecul-
iarities. The snout is almost twice as long as the diameter of the
eye; there are nine anal rays, and the third anal spine is longest. A
few economic particulars of these species may prove interesting :

S. higrocinctus, the Black, or rather the Dark Drown handed Rock
Cod, is found from Monterey to Puget Sound, and is tolerably abun-
dant, in very deei> water, in the Straits of Fuca. About San Fran-
cisco it is rare. It reaches a weight of four pounds.

S. serriceps, the Saw-head or Tree fish, is more southern in its range,
but is abundant in rather deep water about Santa Catalina Island.
The hands are decidedly black, instead of dark brown, as in nigro-
cinctus, and are more numerous than in that species. Northern
specimens are larger, paler, and more brightly colored than southern.
It reaches about three pounds, and is rare in the markets of San
Francisco, though met with more frequently than the preceding.

S. carnatus, S. nebidosus, and S. cJirysomelas are known to the fisher-
men by the name of Garrupa. The first is taken in great numbers
with gill nets in rather shallow water, and is occasionally abundant
in our markets. It is rare at Santa Barbara, and has not yet been
noticed north of San Francisco. It reaches a weight of about two
and a half pounds. It is classed with atrovirens, flavidus, nebidosus,
and others, and is accounted a good food fish.

S. nebidosus is about equal in size and weight to the preceding, but
is found in rather deeper water, and is scarcely so abundant.

S. chrysomelas, the Yellow-Banded Rock Cod, ranges from San Pedro
to Puget Sound, and becomes more abundant northward. It occurs
in water of moderate depth, and is taken with hook and gill nets.
It reaches three and a half pounds.

S. maliger is found in rather deep water, and is commonest in the
Straits of Fuca, where it is taken with hook and line. Occasionally
it occurs in the San Francisco markets. It is larger than any of the
preceding species, reaching a weight of six pounds.

S. rastrelliger, Garrupa, Dusky Rockfish, is not very rare in our
markets, and reaches a weight about equal to that of the latter.
About the Santa Barbara Islands it is taken with hook and line and
with gill nets, rarely with seines. It is esteemed as food.

S. auriculatus, Wharf Rock-fish, is in individuals the most common
of all the group in the San Francisco markets; and as it is plentiful
in the bay, and is taken throughout the year, the total weight of the
species brought in is probably about equal to that of S. mystinus,
notwithstanding its smaller size. It is the only kind that frequents
shallow bays, and is taken near shore from wharves and similar
places, with hook and line. It reaches a weight of three pounds, but
the greater part of those brought into the markets of San Francisco
are young, and do not weigh more than half a pound.

S. vexillaris is the most variably colored and one of the most widely
spread of the species, ranging from San Diego to Puget's Sound. It
reaches a weight of five or six pounds, and is occasionally tolerably
abundant in the markets of our city.

S. chlorostictus — Green-spotted Rockfish, the Pesce Vermiglia of the
Italian fishermen, reaches a weight of four pounds, and is known
only from Monterey Bay, where it occurs in considerable abundance
along with the three following :

S. rhodochloris — Fly Fish, is only known from Monterey Bay. It

37

is occasionally sent to San Francisco in considerable abundance in
spring. It is not a large species.

8. rosaceus — Corsair. This is the smallest of the group, rarely-
exceeding one and a half pounds. It occurs among reefs in deep
water, and where found is the most abundant of the red species. In
San Francisco market it is abundant throughout the year.

S. coustellatus — Bagre. This is another deep water southern species,
taken with hook and line only. It is rather abundant, and of fre-
quent occurrence in our markets. Together with the preceding
small red species, it spawns at Monterey early in the spring. It
reaches from two to three pounds.

S. rubrivinctus is appropriately styled the Spanish Flag by the
Portuguese fishermen of Santa Barbara, on account of its gay red
and yellow transverse "hands. It occurs on reefs in very deep water,
and is occasionally taken with hook and line in spring. It reaches
a weight of six pounds.

S. ruber — Larue Red Rockfish, Tambor,is probably the largestof all
the species, reaching a weight of twelve pounds, or even more. It is
graded upon the stalls with pinniger and miniatus, from which the
dealers do not distinguish it. Its range extends to Puget's Sound,
and its habitat is deep water, so that it is taken with hook and line.
Professor Jordan, from whom ;ill our additional knowledge of this
group is derived, mentions that about Victoria the skulls of large
specimens are infested with an encysted parasitic worm.

*S'. miniatus, Rasher, Rascira — Another deep water species, taken
with hook and line, and also with gill nets, and occasionally sent
to the city markets in considerable numbers. It is scarcely as large
as S. ruber, but reaches eight or ten pounds, and is equally esteemed.

IS.pinniger, Smooth Red Rock Fish,Hiaume. This is a deep water
species, abundant everywhere from Monterey northward, and taken
in great numbers, usually with set lines. It is probably the most
abundant of all the red species in the San Francisco markets, and
in size is inferior only to S. ruber, since it reaches a weight of from
eight to ten pounds. It is esteemed as food, except when very large,
when its flesh is rather coarse. Many are split and salted in the deep
waters of Puget Sound.

S. atrovirens, Garrupa — Dark Greenish Rock Fish, abundant in
rocky places in rather shallow water, and taken in great numbers in
gill nets, south of Point Conception. Many are taken during Winter
at the Santa Barbara Islands, and considerable numbers are salted
and dried by the Chinamen. It reaches three pounds.

S. elongatus, Reina — Abundant with *S'. proriger in very deep
water. Weighs about two pounds, and is not common in markets
except in spring.

S. groriger rarely exceeds one and a half pounds- in weight. Not
rare in its haunts about Monterey Bay. In quality similar to other
small red species.

*S'. oralis, Viuda, Widow — A southern species, taken with hook and
line in very deep water, and apparently somewhat rare. This species
and rubrivinctus have not been observed in the San Francisco markets
either by Professor Jordan or by myself, yet Ayres' type was procured
there.

S. entomelas, Black-bellied Rock Fish — At present the least abun-
dant of the group, and known only from Monterey Bay, where it is

38

taken with hook and lino in very deep water. This and the preced-
ing are equal in size and value to the next.

o. fiavidus, Yellow Tail — Nol common in Puget Sound, but very
abundant in Monterey Bay and about San Francisco. It occurs in

both deep and shallow water, and is taken in large numbers both
with gill nets and set lines. It is one of the largest of the group,
reaching a weight of six to seven pounds, and is considered one of
the best.

S. mystinus, Black Bass, Black Rock Cod, Black Garrupa, Pesce
Pretre — More common about Monterey and San Francisco than
either southward or northward of those points, and sent from Monte-
rey and Tomalcs Hay to the San Francisco markets in greater quantity
than any other, although from its dark color it is less salable than
the more brightly tinted species. Large quantities are wasted,
especially in autumn, when they fail to find purchasers at a cent
per pound. It is found in rather shallow waters, is mostly taken in
gill nets, and reaches a weight of five pounds.

S. dliatus, Black-spotted Bass. This fish, in size, habits, and
value, is similar to the preceding, and is by no means rare in the
markets of San Francisco. It is most common in Puget Sound.

Sebastodes paucispin is, Boccaccio, Merou, Jack — The Italian " Boccac-
cio " or big mouth, fits this fish well. It is a large species, reaching
a weight of from twelve to fourteen pounds, and a length of two feet
eight inches. It is one of the best food fishes, and although not very
common at San Francisco, becomes more abundant southward. The
adults inhabit reefs in deep water, but the young come near shore in
the Spring, and are taken from the wharves.

The rock fish generally live on small fish and Crustacea. They
spawn early in the spring, and some at least are viviparous. The
young of the S.flavidus are extruded at a length of over one third of
an inch, and the same is the case with nebulosus, rosaceus, carnatus,
etc. Probably the whole group is viviparous. The first to notice
this peculiarity was the Californian ichthyologist, Dr. W. 0. Ayres,
whose observations have in most cases stood the test of examination.

FAM. STROMATEID.E.

This family, a subdivision of the Scombridse of Cuvier, is char-
acterized by the presence of spinous processes from the vertebrae,,
forming teeth in the oesophagus, as well as by the absence of ventral
fins. Only one species is known to occur upon our coast.

Stromateus simillimns, Pompino — This highly valued species occurs
along the entire Pacific coast of the United States, having been seen
in Puget Sound in the summer. It moves from place to place rather
irregularly, appearing in schools at almost any season. It is but a
small fish, rarely exceeding half a pound in weight, but its flesh is
rich and fat, and its name helps to sell it, so that it readily fetches
from twenty-five to fifty cents per pound. It is taken in seines, with
hook and line, or by grabhook from the wharves.

A very curious monstrous example of this fish was brought to San
Francisco market in the autumn of 1879. This individual was pos-
sessed of two mouths, externally alike, equal in size, and similar in
structure; the lower mouth, situated somewhat behind the upper,,
directly beneath the eye, and in front of that bone of the gill cover

39

which is denominated by naturalists the interoperculum, while the
upper was in the usual position.

FAM. CARAXGID.E.

Most of the species of this family, which is a subdivision of the
old mackerel family (Scombridae), that occur upon this coast, are
widely spread and well known forms, and the presence of some of
them was not suspected until Professor Jordan commenced his
researches in the Spring of this year.

Trachynotus ovatus, a form more nearly allied to the New Orleans
Pompino than is the fish which hears that name at San Francisco,
was recorded by the writer as from Lower California in 1876, and
probably extends as far north as San Diego.

T. pa/mpanus, also found on the Atlantic coast of North America,
occurs in Lower California, but has not yet been met with within
the limits of our State. It may readily he known from T. ovatus by
its more elongate body, accompanied by longer dorsal and anal tins,
and by its darker color.

Trachwrus saurus, the Horse Mackerel, is an old friend of the
Levantines who carry on here the same occupations they pursue in
the Mediterranean. Occasionally it strays up the eoasl as tar north
as San Francisco. It is taken in large numbers in seines, and salted
for bait. It may he known from all other fishes found in the markets
of San Francisco by the tow of keeled plates along the center of tie
posterior part of the body for its entire length.

Caranx ail, nil us may be known from the last species by the limita-
tion of the keeled plates to the posterior portion of the body, as well
as by a black patch upon the operculum.

Nave rates ductor, the Pilot-fish of authors — that small oceanic fish
which is said to guide the shark to his prey — is said to occur south of
Point Concepcion. It may readily be distinguished by the darker
vertical bands across its bluish Hanks.

Selene argentea is another species, found both in the Atlantic and
Pacific, but at present not known to occur in the waters of our State,
although, as it is common in Magdalena Pay, it is not improbable it
may straggle farther northward. It is excessively compressed and
thin, the top of the head almost vertical, so that it looks highly intel-
lectual. The anterior rays of the dorsal and anal are very long.

Seriola lalandi — This is the well known Yellow-tail of the coasts of
the tropics, and South America and Africa. At present, it is on
record from this coast only from San Diego and the Coronados Islands
northward to Santa Barbara, where it is abundant in the summer,
spawning about July and August. In winter it is not seen. It is
taken entirely bjr trolling, sometimes in considerable numbers, and
as a fresh fish, ranks somewhat below the Barracuda. When dried,
it is considered equal to the Barracuda, or to Caulolatilus.

It feeds upon squid and small fishes, and reaches a weight of fifty
to sixty pounds, and a length of four to four and a half feet.

The curious Remoras, which have a sucking disk of large size
occupying the whole of the upper side of the head and nape, consti-
tute a small family, nearly related, in some respects, to the CarangidaB
and Scomhridae, or mackerel family.

The sucking disk is a transformed spinous dorsal, and consists of
a number (varying according to species) of transverse lamina? united

40

to a central bar, and capable of being raised or closed Like the slats
of a set of blinds. By means of this sucker, the Remora attaches
itself to a shark, a ship, or other floating object, and allows itself to
be carried wherever its host pleases, thus economizing labor. An
example of //' morajacobaea, which has seventeen to nineteen lamina.;
in its disk, was last year taken in the Bay of San Francisco from the
body of a shark, which it had accompanied in its wanderings. The
larger Echeneis naucrates has also occurred at San Francisco.

FAM. SCOMBRID/E.

All the true Scombrida? have a greater or less number of finlets
behind the soft dorsal and soft anal, each iinlet consisting of a single
ray followed by a membrane of triangular shape.

There is little to separate the*hr from the Carangidse, except the
non-protractile mouth; and one genus bridges over this difference.
All are oceanic and swim in large schools.

Scomber pneumatophorus, Spanish Mackerel — This species is known
also as Easter Mackerel, and Little Mackerel, and occurs from Mon-
terey Bay southward, coming up in irregular and often large schools
in summer and fall. It is occasionally sent to the markets of San
Francisco. It does not exceed fourteen inches in length.

Scomber scombrus, Mackerel — There is little doubt of the occur-
rence of this fish upon the southern part of the California coast,
although Professor Jordan did not see it. Captain Charles Willughby,
Indian Agent at Neah Bay, and formerly a Massachusetts mackerel
fisher, gave information that he once netted a school of Eastern
mackerel off Catalina Island; and a fisherman at Santa Barbara
claimed to have taken it off Anacapa Island.

Scomberomorus concolor — This species is here called the Spanish
Mackerel, is very rare, is held in high repute, and fetches a high price.
It may be known by its slim form, and toothless palate. This is the
Chriomitra concolor of my previous report. The nearest of kin to
this fish is the Cybium maculatus of the Atlantic Coast.

La Cepedes's name Scomberomonis has precedence of Qybium, and as
& maculatus has the palate toothless, our Spanish Mackerel must be
included in the same genus. Minute papilla? upon palate and other
parts of the internal surface of mouth and gill-cavity are possessed
by both species, but the only true teeth are those in the jaws.

Sarda chilensis, Bonito, Skip-jack — This is not identical with the
European bonito, although it belongs to the same genus. It was first
described from Chili, and is known to occur along our coast as far
north as Monterey Bay. In the summer it is very abundant, and is
taken in great numbers by trolling, especially about Santa Barbara
and San l)iego. Many are salted and dried, but the flesh is rather
coarse, and is considered inferior to the Barracuda and Yellow-tail.
Some persons aver that it makes them sick. It reaches an average
weight of about twelve pounds, and sells at about twenty-five cents
in the localities where it is taken. About August it becomes abun-
dant in the markets of San Francisco, so much so, that it frequently
cannot be sold while fresh.

Orcynus alalonga, Albicore — This is one of those widely spread
species which confound the best efforts of naturalists who have not
had abundant opportunity for comparison. As Thynnus pacificus,
this species was described by Cuvier, and Valenciennes, and again,

41

under the name of Orcynus pacificus, by Cooper in 1863 (Proc. Acad.
Nat. Sci. Ill, 75), but Professor Jordan considers, from examination
of fresh specimens, that it is identical with the well known Thynnus
(Orcynus) alalonga of the Mediterranean and Atlantic, the alalonga
or long-wing of the Italians. There is no mistaking the fish for any
other found upon our coast, Its long pectoral fin, reaching a consid-
erable distance beyond the second dorsal fin, is a distinctive mark
which none can overlook. The first dorsal is long, and has fourteen
spines, while the second, of twelve soft rays, is followed by eight
finlets, or separate rays, each with a membrane attached. The anal
has eight separate finiets. In color it is steel blue upon the sides,
becoming blackish above, and silvery white below.

It occurs in the Bay of Monterey in the later months of summer;
is brought occasionally to San Francisco market, and becomes abun-
dant farther southward, notably among the islands of the Santa Bar-
bara channel. It affords excellent sport, being caught by trolling
while sailing very rapidly, and biting voraciously at a white rag.
Those brought to the markets of San Francisco were caught from the
d( ck of a "\4essel.

It frequents deeper water than the bonito, and in Santa Barbara
channel is rarely taken within six miles of the shore.

Like the bonito, it \\^-<\^ chiefly on anchovy and squid, but is occa-
sionally taken with rare deep water fishes in its stomach.

It readies greater weight, is comparatively deeper in form than the
bonito, and is less valued even than that fish.

Another species of Orcynus, probably O. j^hunyx, also a Mediter-
ranean species, is known to occur on our coast ; and a dolphin
(Coryphmna) specie- unknown, is known from an individual once
washed ashore at Cayucos Landing.

FAM. J.AUKIIU:.

The Labridse, or Wrasse family, a numerous tribe of fishes, is but
poorly represented upon the coast of California, where its place is to
a great extent rilled by the Embiotocidae, or viviparous perch. The
Labridse have a single dorsal, the spinous portion of which is at least
as much developed as the soft, and are covered with cycloid scales of
moderate or large size. The lips, as the name indicates, are largely
developed, and the mouth is capable of great protraction, the length
of the ascending processes of the intermaxillaries, or upper jaw
bones, permitting much forward movement.

Many of the fishes of this family are beautifully colored, and most
of them attain dimensions that render them valuable as food fishes.

The Labridse live largely upon mollusks, and some are more or
less herbivorous.

Pimelometopon pulcher, first described by Dr. W. O. Ayres, under
the more pronouncable name of Labrus pulcher, is, as its name im-
plies, a highly colored fish. Its chief adornment consists of a bright
red band extending across the body from the head to a perpendicu-
lar from the anus, contrasting strongly with the black head and
hinder portions of the body.^ This is one of those species which
prove that it will not do to attach too much importance to compara-
tive proportions of depth to length, since the depth and thickness of
the front portion of the body increases with age so much, that one of
62

42

those mathematical naturalists who seek to bind nature to fixed Pules
might make several species out of it, Jt attains a Length of two feet
or more, and a weight of from twelve to fifteen pounds. It is very
abundant in the kelp south of Point Concepcion, and is taken in
immense numbers by the Chinese, who dry and salt it.

The flesh is rather coarse, hut the fat forehead is esteemed for
chowder. It feeds upon Crustacea and mollusks. Rare instances of
its occurrence at Monterey are on record.

Platyglossus modestus, King-fish — This species shares with several
others, in no wise related to it, the names of king-fish and sea-trout.
It is rarely brought to the markets of San Francisco, yet it is of com-
mon occurrence in the Bay of .Monterey, and from that point south-
ward. It is a shallow water species, and frequents the kelp that
floats near the shore, and is taken from the wharf at Monterey in dip
nets.

When fresh, the adults are far from deserving the name of modestus,
since they are decorated with waving, broken lines of bright green
upon the sides of the head, are bright orange red below, becoming
brown above, and have the front edge of each scale marjced with a
line of green. The first dorsal is bright blue at the base; there is a
dark green or blue spot at the upper pectoral axil, and a black blotch
on the base of the tail-fin.

The young are much less brightly tinted, the green lines are not
conspicuous, and the color is olivaceous above, fading into whitish
below. It, is common in the kelp, and is often taken with hook and.
line, or with baited dip net. It is chiefly used for bait, although its
flesh is said to be of good quality.

Platyr/lossvs semicinctus, the Kelp Fish, is not rare in the kelp from
Santa Catalina southward, and at San Pedro is occasionally taken in
gill nets and sometimes with the hook. It is larger than the last
species, reaching about a pound in weight.

FAM. POMACEXTRID.E.

Of this family, which includes numerous short-bodied, large-
scaled fishes with the lower pharyngeal bones united, only three
species are know to occur upon our coast, and neither of these ranges
north of Point Concepcion.

Eypsipops rubricundus, Garibaldi, Red Perch — This species is
abundant at the Santa Barbara Islands and southwards; is taken
chiefly with gill nets; reaches a weight of three or four pounds, and
is not held in high esteem as food.

Cliromis pirnrf ipui nis, known as the Blacksmith, is abundantin the
same localities as the last, and is taken with gill nets, or with hook
and line. It reaches two pounds in weight, but is not valued. Like
the other species of the tribe, it feeds on shellfish and Crustacea.

FAM. EMBIOTOCID.E.

This curious tribe of viviparous fishes has had its numbers
increased by the addition of three species, described by Messrs. Jor-
dan and Gilbert, and all occurring in the markets of San Francisco.

One of these, Ditrema atripes, is exceedingly like the better known
Ditrema (Phanerodon) furcatum, but is larger, and may be distin-
guished by the darker tint of the sides, becoming still darker on

43

the back, where the ground color is interspersed with small streaks of
dard red; as well as by the black-tipped ventrals. This species is
occasionally sent to market in considerable numbers from Monterey,
where it is taken in seines.

Brachyistius rosaceus is a pretty little pinkish fish, with two darker
spots on each side near the base of the soft dorsal.

The first specimen observed in the market was treasured by the
dealer as a curiosity, and the second was secured by the writer for
Professor Jordan, who has since obtained two or three others. It is
rare, and at present only known from the markets of San Francisco.

Abeona aurora is, from the structure of the teeth, nearly related to
the Least Shiner, ( Abeona minima) but does not very closely resemble
it, in general appearance, and is larger. It may be identified by the
brassy streak which extends along the body from the snout to the
base of the caudal, and by the blackish axil of the pectoral, and
the considerably forked tail tin. At present it is certainly known
only from Monterey Bay, where it is very abundant about rocks.
Many inhabit the larger roek pools at Point Pinos. It reaches about
a third of a pound in weight.

Some alterations have been made in the nomenclature of this
group. The short, broad species, called by (ribbons' Hyperprosopon
have, together with Hypercritichthya of Gill, been placed by Professor
Jordan in Holconotus, (Agassiz) from which they are not distin-
guished by any structural character; and for similar reasons the
genera Phanerodon of Girard and Tssniotoca of Agassiz have been
merged in Embiotoca, which musl itself give way for the older name
of Ditrema, since the species which of all the group was first de-
scribed, namely, Ditn ma U mmincki, a Japanese fish, turns out to be,
according to Professor Jordan, generically identical with Embiotoca
of our own coast.

As food fishes, the Embiotocidae are far inferior to the other lead-
ing groups of the coast, but their abundance in species and in indi-
viduals renders them valuable. All the tribe feed upon Crustacea
and small fishes.

The great peculiarity of this tribe does not consist so much in the
mere fact that the eggs are hatched within the body of the mother,
since this occurs also in the large group of roek cod; but in the
small number and high state of development of the young, and in
the modifications of structure of males and females, resulting in an
evident differentiation of the sexes. The eggs are hatched, and
afterwards the young develop, within the ovaries, which are devel-
oped for the purpose into a number of pouches or rather folds, and
from which they escape into the sea through the vulva. There is no
trace of any connection of any kind between the young and their
parent; no rudimentary placenta, as there is in some sharks. The
males have the anal fin constructed differently to that of the females,
and it is probable that some sort of copulation takes place, as the
eggs must be fecundated while within the ovary. The hard struct-
ure in the anal fin of the male is a clasping organ.

In most genera there is between the ventral fins and the anal an
elongated naked area, forming a groove, and between the basis of the
ventrals is a lance-shaped blade, covered with scales, its free tip
overhanging the front of the scaleless area.

From Professor Jordan's notes I glean the following fresh particu-

11

lars respecting the previously known species, which were treated of
more fully in the report (<>v L879.

Rkacochilus tozotes, is known to the fishermen as the Alfione, bring
forth from fifteen to twenty young in summer, and is considered the
best of the group.

Damalichthys argyrosomus, ranges northward to Puget Sound, where
it is exceedingly abundant; is probably of all the species the third
most numerous in individuals, and in quantity ranks next to the
preceding. It is called White Perch.

Ditrema furcatum (Phanerodon furcatus, Gir.) lives in sheltered hays
and is taken in seines in great numbers; is very abundant from San
Francisco southward, hut has not been noticed north.

Ditrema laterale, Surf Fish, Blue Perch — This species is very
abundant north of our State, reaching to Puget Sound, and is on the
whole, the most common of the large species.

Ditrema jacksoni, the Black Perch, Pogy, or Black Bass, belongs
especially to California, but extends to Puget Sound.

Hypsurus caryi, Bugara — This fish is usually very abundant at
the edge of the kelp, especially at Monterey, where it is often taken
with hook and line, or in baited dip nets, and sometimes in great
numbers in seines. It is used chiefly for bait for rock cod ; but the
larger ones are sent to market.

Amphistichus argenteus, Silver Surf-fish — called by the fishermen
Surf-fish and White Perch, is, on some sandy shores, very abundant,
especially in the surf. At Santa Barbara and Soquel, it is more
common than elsewhere.

Holconotus rhodoterus, which may be called the Red-finned Perch,
is not so common as most of the others, except in certain localities,
one of which is Soquel. It reaches about a pound and a half in
weight.

Holconotus agassizii [Hyperprosopon agassizii) is, like the preceding,
known to range from Tomales to Santa Barbara, and is small, rarely
weighing over half a pound.

Holconotus {Hyperprosopon) argenteus, Wall-eye or Silver Perch — is
everywhere abundant, and is taken in great numbers in seines on
sandy shores, as well as with hook and line from wharves. It is not
much esteemed as food, and is small — usually weighing about half
a pound.

Holconotus analis. Only locally abundant; common at Santa Cruz
and Soquel, where large quantities are taken, along with the Shiner
( Oymatogaster aggregatus), as bait for rockfish. As it does not weigh
more than a quarter of a pound, it is seldom brought to market.

Brachyistius frenatus. Widely distributed, and at some localities,
as at Monterey, Point Reyes, etc., very abundant ; but used chiefly
for bait, on account of its small size (quarter pound), and not sent to
market, unless accidentally mixed with other species. Ranges to
Puget Sound.

Cymatogaster aggregatus, Shiner, Sparada, Minnie, Little Perch —
This is, everywhere, from San Diego to Puget Sound, the most abun-
dant of the group, and is found especially in sheltered bays. It is
about equal in size to the last.

Abeona minima, Shiner — The smallest of the tribe.

Most of these species occur in the Bay of San Francisco, and all
that weigh half a pound or over are sent to market, The most
important, as regards the weight actually sold, are Bit. jacksoni, D.

45

laterale, D. furcatum, Rhacochilus toxotes, Damalichthys argyrosoma,
Amphistichus argenteus, and Holconotus argenteus. In the spring
(April and May), Hypsurus caryi, the Orange-banded Perch or Bu-
gara, is common. The Red-finned Perch is not often in the market.

The Silver Surf-fish (Amph. argenteus) was, during last Winter,
sent in great numbers from Monterey, and many individuals ap-
proached the Alfione, or Thick-lipped Perch, in size and weight,
reaching a length of fourteen to sixteen inches, and a weight of four
or five pounds.

Professor Jordan does not believe Hyperprosopon arcuatus to be a
valid species; so that all the large-eyed, up-turned mouth and short-
bodied perch, are to be considered as one species, and the name Wall-
eye will suit very well.

Hysterocarpus traski, the only member of the family that inhabits
fresh water, has been frequently sent to market during the summer,
notwithstanding its small size. It occurs in streams at least as far
south as San Luis Obispo.

FAM. SCIyENID.i:.

The family of sciamoids is not largely represented on the northern
portion of our coast, but its members become more numerous from
Point Conception southwards. Into the Bay of San Francisco come
Oynoscion nobilis, the sea bass; Genyonemua lineatus, popularly called
king-fish, and Seriphus j/o/ifus, also called king-fish. The last is far
from common, but the first two are well known and highly prized
food fishes. The first attains a large size, examples of from forty to
sixty pounds weighl being frequently brought to San Francisco
market in summer months.

The king-fish rarely exceeds ten inches in length, but makes upfor
its small size in its delicate ilavor.

Below Point Concepcion occur Corvina saturna, Roncador stearnsii,
Umbrina zanti, Oynoscion parvipinnis, and Jlenticirrus undnlatnx,
making a total of eight species.

Oynoscion parvipinnis, Blue-fish, Corvina, also called Caravina,and
Sea Bass — This species, originally described by Dr. W. 0. Ay res,
occurs at San Pedro and southward, and is not rare in winter, when
it frequents the bays and is taken in seines and gill nets. It feeds
chiefly on Crustacea. Its flesh is esteemed, but will not keep long,
reeembling in this respect the weak-fish — (Otolithus regalis) — of the
Atlantic States. It reaches a length of two feet, and a weight of five
pounds, (Jordan).

Oynoscion nobilis (Atractoscion nobilis), Sea Bass, White Sea Bass —
Very abundant in spring and summer from San Francisco south-
ward. It feeds on Crustacea, anchovies, etc. The young are sold as
sea trout, and are often considered by fishermen a distint species.
This is one of the most valued food fishes of the coast, having firm
white flesh. Examples of from fifty to sixty pounds weight are not
rare in our markets.

Menticirrus undulatus, Sucker Bass, also known as Bagre and
Sucker — Abundant from Santa Barbara southward, on sandy shores,
and taken in seines and gill nets. It feeds largely on Crustacea,
reaches a length of eighteen inches, and a weight of two pounds and
a half, and is held in moderate esteem as food. (Jordan).

Umbrina zanti, Yellow-finned or Yellow-tailed Roncador — This

46

species is abundant from Santa Barbara southward, on sandy shores;

ds on Crustacea, squid, etc., and spawns in July. It reaches about
a foot in length ana two pounds in weight. Many are taken in
seines and gill nets. It is considered a food fish of good quality, and
at San Pedro many are split and salted.

Genyonemus lineatus, King-fish, Little Bass, Little Roncador —
This species ranges southward at leasl to San Pedro, but is most
abundant northward, especially in summer, becoming scarce in
winter. It lives between the shore and the kelp, and is taken with
hook and line at the border of the kelp, as well as in great numbers
in seines. Crustacea form its principal food. Many are dried by
the Chinese. The flesh is rather soft.

Roncador stearnsii, Croaker, Roncador — Abuudant from Santa
Barbara southward, on sandy shores, in rather deeper water than
Umbrina xanti, and taken chiefly in gill nets. It feeds mostly on
Crustacea, spawns in July, and reaches a length of two feet, and a
weight of five or six pounds. It is considered a good food fish.

Corvina satwna, Black Roncador — This fish has the same range
and occurs in similar situations with the preceding, but is less
abundant, and smaller, not exceeding eighteen inches in length, and
about three pounds in weight. It is less attractive in color than
Umbrina and Roncador. This species may be recognized by its dark
gray color, bluff snout, and short body.

Seriphug politus, King-fish, Queen-fish — Rare at San Francisco,
but more abundant southward, along sandy shores. It is taken in
seines, especially at Santa Barbara and Soquel. Although in flavor
probably the best of the small Scisenoids, its small size — seldom more
than eight inches — causes it to be but little valued.

FAM. PERCID.E — PERCH.

This family has been divided and subdivided into numerous
groups, and it now appears likely a reunion may be established.
The Sparidse, which have the hinder end of the maxillary hidden
behind the suborbital in the closed mouth, and are furnished
either with cutting incisors in front of the jaws, or grinding molers
at the side, seem at first very distinct, but they are linked by such
forms as the Pristipomatidas with the more typical Percoids. As only
nine species are yet known upon our coast, it will be as well to con-
sider them all as Pcrcid.se.

Girella nigricans, Blue-fish — This appears to be the only sparoid
fish found on the coast of Upper California. It occurs but rarely
in the markets of San Francisco, where it is brought from the Bay
of Monterey. Its proper range ends near Point Concepcion, north-
ward of which those found are onlj7 stragglers, while southward it is
abundant.

It may be recognized by its curious three pointed, or rather three
lobed teeth. In form it is an elongated oval, and in color an almost
uniform brackish olive. It is abundant about Santa Barbara, where
it is usually taken in gill nets, and is an important food fish.

It is entirely herbivorous in its habits, and is very tenacious of life.
Soon after death the flesh begins to soften. It reaches a length of
about a foot, and a weight of four pounds.

iScorpis californiensis, Moon-fish — Exceedingly rare, though this
species is at San Francisco, it becomes abundant south of Point Con-

47

cepcion, so much so that the great bulk of the fish taken by the Wil-
mington fishermen off Santa Catalina Island, for the suppl}T of Los
Angeles, consists, Professor Jordan informs me, of this fish. The few
that have been taken in Monterey and even in Tomales bays must
be regarded only as stragglers from the crowd. Its chief food is
Crustacea. It reaches about a foot in length and three pounds in
weight, and ranks high as a pan fish.

In color it is gray, the ventral fins are covered with scales, the
form is a regular oval and the mouth is small, witli three lobed
incisors.

Serranus maculofasciat us, Rock Bass — Abundant in bays from Point
Concepcion southward, especially at San J)iego, where it is taken in
-lines and also with hook and line from the wharves. It is not
found in deep water nor about islands. It leeds chiefly on Crustacea
and squid; reaches a length of fifteen inches and a weight of from
two to three pounds, and is considered an excellent food fish.

This species is prettily spotted all over with small round purple
spots, and across the body, overlying the spots, run several irregular
darker transverse bands.

Serranus nebulifer, .Johnny Verde — The greenish tint of this spe-
cies explains its common name, but the lower part of the head
exhibits purple spots similar t<> those of tin- last species, to which,
despite its more elevated dorsal, it is closely related, it ranges to
Monterey, and i> common in San Pedro and San Diego Bays. A
large example reaches twenty inches in length, and a weight of
about four pounds. It is considered a good food fish.

Serranus clathratus, Cabrilla, Rock Bass, Kelp Salmon — From
Monterey southward, becoming more abundant towards the south-
ern extremity of the State, and constituting one of the most impor-
tant food fishes of the Santa Barbara Islands. It lives among rocks
in not very deep water; feeds on Crustacea and squid, and reaches
about the' same size as the last species. It is considered one of the
I 'etter class of food fish, and is only occasionally split and salted.

Stereolepis gigas, Jew-fish, Black Sea Bass — The Farallones appear
to be the northern limit of the range of this huge sea-perch, which
becomes abundant southward, especially ahout the Santa Barbara
islands. It is said to be an excellent food fish, but from its great
size, is not often taken. It is caught by still-fishing, not by trolling,
but individuals are often taken by swallowing white-fish, etc., when
the latter are on the hook. Small examples are- sometimes brought
to San Francisco market, and its occurrence within the Bay of San
Francisco is on record. It reaches a weight of four to five hundred
pounds.

I'AM. AMMODYTID.E — SAXD LA>TCES.

Ammodytes personatus, the sole member of this family recorded
from this coast, is abundant upon sandy shores from Monterey north-
ward. In Puget Sound it is exceedingly abundant, swimming about
bays close to shore in immense schools. Sometimes it is found
buried in sand between tide marks. It reaches a length of five or
six inches and is seldom eaten.

The Ammodytidse, have no ventral fins; the gill membranes are
continuous around the throat, and the vent is situated far back upon
the body. In the Aleutian Islands this fish is called the Candle fish.

48

PAM. SHlYIM'.NIIi.E — BARRACUDAS.

This small family of highly carniverous and swift swimming fishes
contains the genus Sphyroena only, and is represented on this coast by
S. argentea, the well known Barracuda of our markets. From San
Francisco southward it is abundant in summer, when it probably

conic- mar shore for the purpose of spawning. Its chief run is in
July. In the winter it probably retires to deeper water. Professor
Jordan states that it is taken chiefly by trolling at a distance of three
or four miles from shore, except about the Santa Barbara Islands,
where it is taken with hook and line. In autumn and winter the
young are sometimes taken in seines. It is considered oneof the best
food fishes, and and when salted and dried, sells at a higher price
than Alaska codfish. It reaches a length of three or more feet, and a
weight of twelve pounds. The Sphyrsenidse are covered with smooth
scales, and have the ventrals placed far back.

FAM. ATHERINID.E — FALSE SMELTS.

Three species of this family, which, though containing chiefly small
fishes with feeble teeth, agrees with the last in having smooth scales,
and in the abdominal position of the ventrals, are found upon this
coast.

Atherinopsis calif orniensis, the Common Smelt, is taken in great
numbers in all bays open to the ocean from San Francisco south-
ward. It resides in positions sheltered by rocks, and is often caught
by trolling with a small hook.

Atherinops qffinis, the Little Smelt, prefers, according to Professor
Jordan, more sheltered situations than the former for a residence. It
is considered a pan fish of good quality, having firm but rather dry
white flesh. Though smaller than A. calif orniensis, it reaches a foot
in length. Many are dried by the Chinese.

Leuresthes tenuis — This occurs in large schools at San Diego, and
reaches a length of five inches.

FAM. MUGILIDJE — MULLETS.

The Mullet, mentioned in the last report of the Fish Commis-
sioners, proves to be really Mugil mexicanus. In San Diego Bay,.
Professor Jordan found it abundant. At San Pedro it made its
appearance three years ago, and has since been tolerably common,
and it is occasionally sent to our markets from Monterey. Professor
Jordan believes that it is spreading northward along the coast. It
feeds upon mud containing organic matter, reaches a length of about,
fifteen inches and is much esteemed as a pan fish.

In winter, it enters creeks and lagoons, where many are land-
locked and destroyed by sea birds.

FAM. SCOMBERESOCTDiE — GAR-FISHES.

This group of fishes is represented on the southern part of our
coast by four species. From all otherwise related families these may
be known, by the union of the lower pharyngeal bones into a single
bone (as in the Labridse), and by the presence of a series of keeled
scales along each side of the belly.

49

As in the Cyprinodonts, there is no adipose dorsal fin, and the
dorsal and anal are placed far back upon the caudal part of the body.

Belone exilis — Needle-fish, Gar-fish. In summer, this species fre-
quents bays and lagoons along the coast from Santa Barbara south-
ward, for the purpose of spawning, but it is not common. It reaches
a length of two and a half feet, and is esteemed as food.

Exoccetus californicus, Flying-fish, Volador — Professor Jordan has
found this species abundant along the southern part of our coast, as
far north as Santa Cruz. It is particularly common in Santa Barbara
Channel, and about Santa Catalina Island. It goes in great schools.
Respecting its habits, the following is quoted from the MS. of Pro-
fessor Jordan :

" The Flying-fish Hies for a quarter of a mile, not rising more than
three or four feet above the surface. Its motive power is given by
rapid movements of its powerful tail in the water, which movements
are continued after the body is out of the water and the pectorals
spread. When the tail is out of the water, the ventral fins are also
spread out, and the motions of the pectorals cease. Its motion is
then very swift, and in a straight line, which afterwards becomes a
curve by the partial turning over of the body, one wing being placed
partly against the wind. Motion is often renewed by putting the tail
once more in the water, as the fish falls so as to touch it. It is to
some extent able to shy off from a vessel. In the water its move-
ments are very rapid. It reaches a length of fifteen inches and a
weight of a pound and a half or more, and is considered excellent
food. It spawns about the beginning of August, which is the cause
of its visit to the coast. Large numbers are taken in seines and gill
nets off Catalina Island. Nine-tenths of those seen in July were
males."

FAM.' SALMONID^E — SALMON AND TROUT.

The salmon and trout, once reported to be so numerous in species,
are gradually becoming fewer as examination is made of the same
species at different seasons of the year, in salt and fresh water, and at
the various periods of its life.

The long list of anadromous salmon {Oncorhynchus) is now by the
researches of Professor Jordan and Mr. Gilbert, reduced to six, which
bear the provisional names of nerka, gorbuscha, quinnat, kisutch, keta,
and kennerlyi.

These names are provisional because some, if not all, of the species
not only occur upon the Pacific Coast, U. S. A., but extend north-
wards to Behring's Straits, and down the opposite coast of Kam-
tschatka. They are thus probably identical with some or other of
the species previously described from the coast of Asia.
_ The various species of salmon and trout are subject to great varia-
tions in consequence of change of habit, as well as to others caused
by age, sex, and season ; and these changes have been the cause of
the excessive multiplication of nominal species. Salmon, when in
the sea, are of a silvery, steely, or bluish tint, darkest upon the back.
When in the river, the silvery tint is lost and the flesh also becomes
lighter. The young of all the species are cross-barred with darker
tints which disappear with age. The form and proportions of the
body are also, in the anadromous species, liable to change, as also
those of the fins. Neither can comparative size be depended upon.

50

The Salmo sebago of the lakes of Maine is believed to bo only a land-
locked Salmo solar depauperated by the more confined habitat. The
trout of a small brook never attain the size of those of a larger
river.

The quinnat of this const was prevented from returning to the ocean
from the lake- San Andreas and Pilarcitos by the erection of the
dams of the Spring Valley Water ( lompany, and now those lakes are
full of salmon which mature their eggs and milt when less than a
pound in weight.

The characters which can he depended on to distinguish the spe-
cies of salmon are as follows : To some extent, the form of the caudal
fin and the arrangement of the spots upon the body, especially near
thetail; the number of raysin the anal fin ( Oncorynchus has fourteen
or more, Salar or Salmo about twelve); the size of the scales; the num-
ber and size of the gill rakers, or tooth like processes upon the bones
which bear the gills; the number of branchiostegal rays: and the
number of the pyloric caeca which are attached to the lower end of
the stomach. The teeth are also to be regarded, but not implicitly,
as they are liable to alterations with age. More attention has natu-
rally been devoted to the study of this group than to that of any
other, on account of its importance as a source of food.

Upon this coast, the salmon fishery upon the Columbia alone
accounts for about a million and a half of salmon, weighing when
taken at least twenty-five pounds each on an average. This is prob-
ably equal to twice the total weight of all other fisheries, salmon
included, carried on upon the Pacific Coast of the United States, even
with the Alaska cod fishery thrown in.

The life history of these fishes is thus invested with much interest,
since, upon our knowledge of it, depends the success of any attempt
that may be made to prevent, by judicious legislation, the threatened
decrease of the species.

The season of the principal run differs according to the species, and
it appears to be tolerably well established, by the reappearance of
marked fish, that some individuals make good their retreat after
spawning, and return again next year, although the greater portion
die of the exhaustion consequent upon their ascent of the streams.
This is the case more particularly with those which ascend highest,
jumping falls, passing rapids, and braving the difficulties of a long
journey without food.

Oncorhynchus quinnat, the Common Salmon — This is the salmon par
excellence of the Pacific Coast, the victim of the canning industry, the
Columbia River salmon, the taste of which is familiar to Briton, Aus-
tralian, Frenchman, and Teuton. As the salmon business is fully
discussed in the Report of the Fish Commissioners, no statistics need
be given here. An interesting fact in its natural history is that, as
with the shad, so with the quinnat, we know where some at least of
the individuals spend their time while absent from our rivers. In
this respect we are ahead of our Atlantic brethren, who, as yet, have
not found out what Salmo salar or Clupea sapidissima do with them-
selves during their holidays. Quinnat, like Clupea sapidissima, and
all the rest of our fashionable society, recreates in the Bay of Monte-
rey, where he has this year furnished much amusement and some
food.

It appears singular that few quinnat were caught during summei
in the above named bay until this year, and this may appear to sug-

51

gest a change of habit in the fish ; but, in view of the fact that new
species of fish and Crustacea are continually being brought in, and
that this is known to be caused by the search of the fishermen in new
fishing grounds, it is more probable that the quinnat have always
been there, but that the fishers have failed to find them until lately.
But it must not be supposed that all the quinnat go to the Bay of
Monterey. Examples have been taken far southward of this point,
and a few run up Ventura River every year.

South of this river our coast does not present any streams running
freely into the sea, as the rivulets terminate in lagoons separated
from the ocean by sand bars. The quinnat has evidently the most
southern range of any of the species of Oncorhynchus, and possibly
becomes less abundant northward, the most abundant salmon of
Fraser River being 0. nerka, the blue-back of the fishermen. Yet it
is thought that the large "King-salmon" of Alaska is this species.

Notwithstanding the study that has been given to the habits of
salmon, there are yet many points in their life history which are not
cleared up. They are hatched in clear running brooks accessible
from the ocean; they run down to the ocean when three or four
inches long, and they return to the rivers to spawn. This much is
certain, and it is certain also that the greater portion of the return-
ing fish are large, and of the age of about four years. As smaller
individuals, containing spawn, are sometimes taken, it is not unlikely
that some run up the river and spawn once or twice before their final
and fatal journey. However this may be, it appears that when full-
grown, the salmon approach the coast, where, meeting with currents
of fresh water from the rivers, they become irresistibly attracted,
and follow them up until fairly within the stream. When at
sea they feed freely and bite vigorously at a hook, but as soon as
they are fairly within a river, they cease to feed and cannot be
tempted to bite. The proof that they do not eat lies in the fact that
the stomach of those taken in the river is always empty. Once in
the river, they become impressed with an irresistible desire to pene-
trate further and further, and in obedience to this impulse, they
mount rapids, spring up small cataracts, and flounder through shal-
lows until, spent with exhaustion, battered and wounded by contact
with rocks and other obstacles, and still further worn out by the process
of spawning, the greater portion die. All spawn before they die. and as
the strength of the individuals differs, they spawn at various points all
along the river and its tributaries, but always in comparatively shal-
low and clean water. In spawning, they pair off; the female depos-
its her spawn upon the gravel, and the male pours out upon it the
fertilizing milt. As the males mount up the river, a great change
takes place in the form of the head. The jaws commence to enlarge
and to curve, the upper forming a hook directed downwards, the
lower a similar hook directed upwards. Coincident with the growth
of the jaws, is that of the group of teeth upon their lips, which
become relatively immense. The result is a " dog salmon" with a
physiognomy utterly unlike the straight-jawed, neat looking indi-
viduals just arrived from the sea, and it is no wonder that such old
males have been described as distinct species. The males also
develop a more or less conspicuous hump upon the shoulder, but
this is not very evident in the species we are now considering.

The females do not, at least as a rule, develop the hooked jaw,
although it is reported that some individuals with hooked jaws

52

have been found to contain ova. Dead salmon are often found
in the shallows of the upper courses of the rivers, having died before
they could reach deeper water.

Some adventurous individuals follow the Columbia into the Terri-
tory of Montana before they succumb.

The color of the flesh of a salmon does not indicate its species,
since the same individual which had bright red flesh when in the
ocean, and at the commencement of its run, will become nearly
white at or alter spawning. It is clear from what has been said that
the flesh of the"kelts," as the salmon after spawning are called in
England, can scarcely be fit for consumption by human beings.
Covered with wounds upon which fungus spores find a suitable
nidus, many look sufficiently repulsive. It is probable that the sto-
ries of so called " poisonous" fish and other marine animals arise
entirely from the injudicious eating of such creatures when exhausted.
with spawning, or when afflicted with some disease, the outward
symptoms of which we do not recognize.

In the smaller rivers of the coast the run of salmon takes place in
the autumn, thus, in Eel River, it commences when the first rains
have caused the waters to rise. Thus the canning season upon the
Coquille, Eel, and other small rivers, commences after that of the
Columbia River is over. Some quinnat run up the Columbia in the
autumn, and it is to this fact that we owe the preservation of the
species, in spite of the immense numbers taken. The fishing is car-
ried on during the spring run only, from April to July, during
which season some 1,500 boats are perpetually engaged in it, so that
from the bar up to off Mount Ranier there is an almost continuous
web of nets, effectually preventing the ascent of by far the greater
portion of the fish. Professor Jordan is, however, of opinion that
the autumn run is sufficient to counterbalance the destruction. In
Klamath, Fraser, Sacramento, and Rogue Rivers there is also a
spring run. An ordinary full grown quinnat weighs about twenty-
five pounds, but individuals attain a much greater size, reaching as
much as sixty pounds or even seventy. Those found in the Sacra-
mento are, as a rule, smaller than those of the Columbia, not aver-
aging more than eighteen pounds. In Puget Sound the quinnat are
also smaller and less fat than in the Columbia.

The quinnat has from fifteen to eighteen branchiostegals, or small
bones supporting the gill membranes; and has the body, dorsal, and
caudal fins spotted with round spots. On the approach of the spawn-.
ing season it becomes darker and sometimes, but not always, acquires
a reddish tinge. The scales become covered with a coating of
mucus so that the fish cannot readily be scaled. The pyloric cceca
are very numerous, varying from a hundred and fifty to two hun-
dred, so that it may be readily known by an examination of the
stomach from 0. nerka, which has about seventy-five very small
cceca, and 0. fceta, which has from sixty to eighty large and thick ones.
In this character 0. kisutch and 0. gorbuscha are near quinnat, but
the branchiostegal rays of these species, like those of nerka and keta,
are only thirteen or fourteen in number. 0. keta has fewer spots
than quinnat; the caudal has a few spots on its upper rays, and the
dorsal a few on its first rays. 0. nerka is immaculate as is 0. kisutch.

OncorJnjncJtus keta, Silverside Salmon, Cohoe Salmon — The tsuppitch
of Dr. Richordson has at length been identified by Professor Jordan
as the keta of Walbaum. It turns out to be a salmon of the genus

53

oncorhynchus, and not a trout as heretofore supposed. Its previous
identification with the so called " Black Trout " of Lake Tahoe is thus
found to have been an error. There fs but one species of trout yet
known from that lake, the presence or absence of teeth upon the hyoid
bone being the result of accident or individual peculiarity. The real
tsuppifrJt or keta reaches a length of fifteen to eighteen inches, and a
weight of four or five pounds. When in the ocean, it feeds on Crus-
tacea, herring, etc. This salmon is said to be very superior in Quin-
nault River, where it is abundant and is salted by the Indians, as it
is also at Neah Bay, at which point it was formerly canned. Profes-
sor Jordan saw it at Seattle, and speaks of it as abundant in Puget
Sound and at Cape Flattery, as well as for some distance north and
south from thence. As a food fish it ranks with the young of the
quinnat. It runs up Eel River, California, and has been taken in the
Sacramento.

Oncorhynchus nerka, Blueback ; also called by fishermen, Rascal, Suk-
keye, Redfish, Dog Salmon — This is a much smaller salmon than the
quinnat, and apparently has its headquarters farther north. In the
Columbia it is common, but less so than the quinnat, while in Fraser
River and the streams of British Columbia generally it is the com-
monest salmon. It is often canned upon the < Solum bia, but without
acknowledgment, as four of them are reckoned and paid for as one
quinnat, although of course four nerka exceed in weight one of the
latter.

In Puget Sound it is abundant, and ranges northward as far as the
Aleutian Islands. It readies eight to twelve pounds in weight. This
species runs up the river principally in the Spring.

Oncorhynchus gorbuscha, Humpback — This species may readily be
distinguished from the quinnat by the smaller size of the scales, and
also, at least in the Sacramento, which it ascends in tolerable num-
bers in October, by the greatly developed hump formed by the dorsal
outline immediately behind the head. 0. nerka also becomes hump-
backed, but not to so great an extent as the present species. The
males, in the spawning season, present in perfection the character
upon which the genus Oncorhynchus was founded, viz.: the hooked
jaws, which give the fish a repulsive appearance. It does not appear
to be a common species, except in Puget Sound, and does not exceed
five to eight pounds in weight.

Oncorynchus kisutch, Dog Salmon — This, the true Dog Salmon,
occurs in Puget Sound, Fraser River, etc. In most characters, except
the scales, it agrees with the last species; but the scales are larger,
and the aspect of the fish different. The males, when they enter the
rivers in the fall, have reddish transverse bands alternating with
greenish, and become blotched with these colors as they ascend.
The females are bright silvery on entering the rivers.

Oncorhynchus kennerlyi, the Red Fish — This species appears to be,
for the most part, an inhabitant of lakes that have no outlet, and is
thus debarred from taking a trip to the ocean. Living in the lakes
as ordinary salmon do in the sea, it runs up the rivers that flow into
them, and deposits its ova in their clear water, just as other salmon
run up the rivers flowing into the sea.

After spawning, other salmon become redder in their external
coloration, and are "redfish," but this is the " Redfish "par excellence
of the Indians, the valued fish of the lakes, to procure which they
take long journeys.

54

The Red fish attains a weight of from four to five pounds.

Solum henshawi, the Silver Trout — Two species of trout, S. tsuppitck
and S. h nshawi, commonly called the Black and the Silver Trout, were
once supposed to inhabit Lake Tahoe and other lakes, but S. tsuppitch
proves to be a salmon instead of a trout, leaving Salmo henshawi in sole
possession as at once the Silver and the Black Trout of Lake Tahoe.
Again and again has the writer examined the so called Black Trout of
Lake Tahoe, in the endeavor to find any difference between it and the
Silver Trout, and has failed. Head, teeth, gill-covers, fins, tail, all
external characters of form, were alike. Yet the dealers make out two
species; and in the Museum of the Academy of Natural Science we
have what purport to he specimens of both, presented by the Accli-
matization Society. These also I examined with the same result as
with the fresh specimens. Salmo tsuppitch, the Black Trout, was said
to be without teeth upon the hyoid bone. Occasionally a large trout
without these teeth would occur, but invariably it was a particularly
silvery and unspotted individual. If there were two species, it became
evident that it was the Silver Trout that was without these teeth; yet
other silvery trout had them. At last Professor Jordan claimed that
he had found the real tsuppitch in the Columbia, and that he believed
all the trout in Lake Tahoe were henshawi. It is well known that
the delicate hyoid teeth become worn off by age or accident, in many
cases. The Black Trout of the dealers must, therefore, be a myth, so
far as species is concerned; yet, as those called "black" usually arrive
here at a different season of the year than those called " silver " (which
are often as dark as the black), it is not unlikely that there may be
some peculiarity in the flesh, especially as the dealers profess to find
a difference in firmness between them.

S. henshawi is sparsely covered with rather large dark round
spots.

It reaches a weight of two or three pounds. Large quantities are
sent from Wadsworth, on the Central Pacific Railroad, to the mar-
kets of San Francisco.

It is not confined to the lake it is named after, but occurs also in
other mountain lakes, and in the Sacramento River, but it has not yet
been traced to salt water.

Salmo irideus, the Brook Trout — This is the almost universally
diffused brook trout of the streams of this State, and is, when adult,
singularly handsome, glowing with peculiarly shaped spots or short
bars of metallic golden green.

It has been generally catalogued as an exclusively fresh water fish,
but it appears to share to some extent the anadromous habits of Salmo
solar — as "sea trout" — possessing all the characters of Salmo irideus
except the color, which is light, almost uniform, silvery, are fre-
quently brought to the markets of San Francisco during the winter
months, and there is little or no doubt that these are iriclea which
have left the streams for a more or less prolonged visit to salt water.

The fact is that all trout although for the most part inhabitants
of fresh water, take occasional trips to the sea when the waters
they inhabit are favorably situated for the purpose. S. irideus is
usually of small size, not exceeding a foot in length, but under
favorable circumstances reaches eighteen inches. In the Columbia
it is rare, but Professor Jordan saw a few from a stream above
Astoria.

55

The fish is seldom brought into the markets of San Francisco
from fresh water.

Salmo mykiss, Hard-head, and Black Salmon — This is an exceed-
ingly large trout, equal or superior in size to One. nerka, since it
reaches a weight of from fourteen to eighteen pounds. It inhabits
the mouths of large rivers, such as the Columbia, Fraser, Skeena,
etc., and is occasionally found in Puget Sound. It appears to spawn
in spring, somewat earlier than the salmon, and occurs upon the
coast at the same time with the latter. It is believed to be migra-
tory. In some regions it is esteemed as a food fish, but in the
Columbia the flesh is very white, and it is considered valueless.
The body is less deep than that of a salmon, and the tail much
heavier.

Salmo clarki, Oregon Trout, Salmon Trout — This species is very
abundant in all lakes and rivers north Mount Shasta, but is n< :
found south of that locality. It is abundant in salt water in Puget
Sound, where it is taken in seines in great numbers. It reaches a
weight of from two to three pounds, and is reckoned an excellent
food fish.

Salvelinus nudum, Dolly Varden Trout — The Charr is abundant
in the lakes and streams of the Cascade Range, from Central Oregon
northward, and is also very common in the salt waters of Puget
Sound, where many are taken in seines. Specimens obtained at
Seattle and in the markets at Victoria reached a weight of eleven
pounds, but in the mountain lakes and streams it does not exceed
three pounds. Many are brought in by the Indians at the places
before mentioned. It feeds freely on sticklebacks, herrings, etc., and
is an excellent food fish.

The Dolly Yarden trout of the Upper Sacramento, formerly known
as Salvelinus bairdi, proves to be identical with this. Mr. Smith, who
is stationed at the fish-hatching establishment upon the McCloud
River, has examined many specimens, and finds that the characters
relied upon to distinguish them utterly fail. Teeth are present upon
the hyoid bone, in most examples from the McCloud, as in the typical
speetabilis. The supposed absence of these teeth was the chief char-
acter upon which bairdi was based.

J.'upomesus olidus, Surf Smelt — Professor Jordan did not meet with
this fish south of Monterey, and states that it is very abundant in
Puget Sound, where it spawns in the surf in the spring. It reaches
nearly a foot in length, is very fat, and is held in high esteem as a
pan fish. In the markets of San Francisco it is tolerably common,
but seldom exceeds eight inches in length.

Osmerus pacificus, Eulachon, Candle-fish — The Eulachon has not
yet been recorded from the coast of California, but is abundant from
Oregon northward, ascending the rivers in enormous numbers, but
for no great distance. In the Columbia, as well as in Fraser and
Nass Rivers, it is especially abundant. In Fraser River the run is
in May. On Nass River is a factory for making Eulachon oil, which
is used as a substitute for cod-liver oil. When fresh it is one of the
finest of pan fish. Many are pickled and shipped to San Francisco,
where they are held in the highest esteem. Its use as Columbia
River Sardines has been previously mentioned. The largest reaches
a length of about ten inches.

Osmerus thaleichthys, Smelt, Small Silver-smelt — Tolerably com-
mon from Monterey Bay northward, but not running in such num-

56

bers as the two preceding smelts. It reaches Bix to eight inches long*
and from its smaller size and softer flesh is less valued than the
eulachon or surf-smelt. It rarely comes to San Francisco market in
very good condition, and hence is less salable than the spurious
smelts, of the family Atherinidse.

O&mervA att< n tiatus, Slender Smelt — About equal in size to the preced-
ing, but of a more attenuated form, with a straight lower jaw instead
of a curved one, and a different upper surface of head. Not very
common in the markets of San Francisco. Range not made out.

AUmla wipes. Lady-fish — This world-wide species, which, though by
some classed with the herrings, differs from them in the rounded
form of the abdomen, which in the latter is compressed and sharp-
edged, and in the numerous pavement-like teeth of its mouth, is
apparently resident at San Diego, where it is rather common, and
is sold as a food fish along with the mullet. Its bright silvery color-
ation renders it salable, but it is not highly valued. It spawns late
in the autumn, and reaches a length of about a foot.

FAM. CLUPEID2E — HERRINGS.

Including the Anchovies, this family has only five representatives
upon the coast of California, only three of which reach San Fran-
cisco.

Chipea sac/ax, Sardine — This species occurs more or less abun-
dantly in our markets throughout by far the greater portion of the
year. In April and May those brought in are chiefly young, and it
is commonest about July and August. The sardine ma}7 be distin-
guished from the herring by its thicker and more elongated body,
somewhat longer head, and striated gill-cover, as well as by the total
absence of teeth; by the even jaws (in the herring the lower jaw
projects); by the narrow pointed form of the area included between
the ridges on the top of the head, and by the row of spots on the
sides. At San Diego it is even more abundant than at San Fran-
cisco, and is taken from the wharves with hook and line.

This species is very close to, if not identical with the Clupea pil-
chardus of Europe, the young of which are the sardines put up in oil
that are<so highly prized. It appears strange that no attempt in this
direction has been made in California.

Clupea mirabilis, Herring — The herring of this coast is, on the
whole, slightly smaller than that of the Atlantic, and since it is not
salted or dried to any great extent, it does not figure so largel}' as an
article of food. This, however, is not due to any scarcity of the fish,
which occurs in shoals along the coast of California in the winter
season, and is still more abundant northward. During some of the
winter months, the bulk of the fish brought into San Francisco
market consists of these species. In September the first of the season
are taken. In November it becomes abundant, and in March or
April falls off and disappears. Some have been cured in Hum-
boldt Bay, but are said to be very poor; indeed, it is stated
that the herring found along the Pacific Coast of the United States
are far inferior to those taken between Puget Sound and Oona-
lashka. At the latter place the Alaska Fish Company put up a
-mall quantity, and the Cutting Packing Company salt some at Sitka.
The Indians press the whole fish for oil, and the spawn is kept to
form part of their winter stock of food. At Puget Sound many

57

barrels are sometimes taken at one haul of the seine. It reaches
about a foot in length, and spawns in January at San Diego, but
much later on the northern part of our coast. It is nowhere much
valued.

Clupea {alosa), sapidissima, Shad — This species has prospered since
its introduction into the Sacramento, and is now brought to market
pretty regularly, although it still bears a high price. As in the Atlan-
tic States, it descends to the sea at intervals, and the locality chosen
by a large proportion of the species is the Bay of Monterey. Others
scatter to a greater distance, as Professor Jordan took two examples
on the Columbia River; and it has also been taken as far south as
Wilmington. The largest shad I have yet heard of on this coast was
sold in the spring of this year, by Messrs. Spence & Johnson, of the
California Market. This individual measured twenty-six inches in
length, nine and a hall' in width, and weighed eight pounds and a
half. One of about the same dimensions, but not quite so heavy, was
.sold by the same dealers last year.

Stolephorus ringens, Anchovy — This is one of the next abundant of
the finny tribe along the coasl of < lalifornia, and although not taken
largely by the fishermen, is of great indirect service to man, since it
forms a large part of the diet of other fishes. Even the tomcod, itself
the prey of almost every fish used for food, devours its share of 8.
ringens. It frequents quiet bays. Two other species of anchovy occur
in the southern part of California, viz.: 8. compressus and 8. delicatis-
simus. Both of these species differ widely in color from S. ringens,
being yellowish, with a silvery streak along the Hanks, instead of
deep bluish.

In & compressus the oval fin is much longer than in either of the
other species. S. compressus reaches a length of about five inches,
and is very abundant in the Bays of San Pedro and San Diego. It
is not eaten, as its flesh is Very dry.

8. ringens is chiefly used for bait, especially by the Chinese, who
salt it for that purpose. In San Francisco market it is occasionally
pickled with spices. It reaches a length of six inches.

S. dclicatissimus is a very small species.

ORDER APODES, FISHES WITHOUT VENTRAL FINS.

This order, which includes numerous fishes having an extremely
elongated form, with numerous vertebrae, very small branchial aper-
tures, no ventral fins, and fin rays of simple structure, is but poorly
represented on this coast, since only the specimens occur within the
limits of California, and one or two others farther north. All of these
are marine.

Mursena mordax, Conger Eel, Congaree — The Conger is abundant
about Santa Catalina Island, and at San Diego, where it lives among
rocks near tide marks, and may sometimes be taken on land. It is
very pugnacious, striking like a snake. The flesh is fat and pala-
table like that of the fresh water eel, and as it reaches a length of
five feet, and a weight of fifteen to twenty pounds, it is esteemed as
food, although the skin is reputed to be poisonous.

•>

ORDER CHONDKOSTEI — BTURGEON8.

The four species catalogued from this coast, have dwindled to two
upon further examination. Acipenser braehyrhynchus, the lai
short-nosed sturgeon, of the Bay of San Francisco, proves to Be
identical with A. transmontanus of the Columbia River; while the
A. acutirostris or sharp-nosed sturgeon of Ayres is the young of the
same species.

The only other species, although no sharper-nosed than the pre-
ceding, must bear Ayres' name of medirostris, while the A. acutirostiis
of Gunther (Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus. VIII. 844), and the A. agassizii of
Dumeril, are but the young of this species. Both have the snout
acutely pointed when young, and becoming more bluff with age.

Acipenser transmontanus, White or Common Sturgeon — This stur-
geon is common in all bays and large rivers from San Francisco
northwards, and is taken in great numbers on the Sacramento,
Columbia, and Fraser Rivers. It feeds to a considerable extent on
Crustacea, and Fraser River gorges itself with the eulachon.

It runs up the rivers in the spring with the salmon. It reaches-
eight, ten, and even twelve feet in length, and a weight of six hun-
dred pounds, but most of those brought to market are much
smaller, from twenty-five to fifty pounds. The flesh is largely con-
sumed in this city, and is very cheap. Much of it is smoked. The
eggs are used as caviare, and are much esteemed by Germans and
other Europeans.

Acipenser medirostris, Green Sturgeon — The distribution and
habits of this species are the same as those of the preceding, but it is
much less abundant, and though a large species, is probably inferior
in size. It is not eaten, as it has the reputation of being poisonous..
The smaller number of plates in the lateral line, the greater striation
of all the plates, and the different position of the anal fin, are char-
acters by which it is easily distinguished, to say nothing of the green
color of the flesh, which is probably the cause of its bad reputation
and certainly prevents its sale as "sea bass." The flesh is in reality
as good as that of the white sturgeon.

CLASS — ELASMOBRANCHII.

The ElasTnobranchii, or Sharks and Rays, are fishes of a generalized
type, differing widely on the one hand from the true bony fishes, and
on the other from the far less organized lampreys and myxines. In
the days when it was believed possible to arrange all the forms of life
in a straight line, ascending or descending, naturalists were puzzled
to know where to place these creatures. In some part of their struc-
ture they seem to be as far above true fishes as in others they are
below it. The brain is in many respects superior to that of a typical
fish, such as a perch or salmon, and the arrangements for securing
the reproduction of the species approach in complexity those of the
mammalia. On the other hand, the skeleton is cartilaginous and
imperfectly developed, and by far the greater number are without a
gill covering. The development of the reproductive organs varies
greatly in the different families and genera of this class; some are
oviparous, but produce few and large eggs, while in others the young
are hatched within the body of the mother, and in some species of
sharks a rudimentary placenta is formed, the vascular wall of the

59

umbilical sac becoming plaited, and interdigitating with similar
folds of the walls of the uterus.

The great majority of the Teleostei, or true fishes, deposit an
immense number of ova; but some, as the Embiotocidse, or vivip-
arous perch of this coast, are ovoviviparous, that is, the young are
hatched within the ovary. In these cases, however, there is no trace
of a placenta developed, as in the Elasmobranchs. But there is
another and greater difference. In true fishes there is no union of
the sexes. The milt of the male is squeezed out over the ova of the
female — the two sexes, in some cases at least, assisting each other in
the operation l>y rubbing their bodies together. But in the Sharks
and Rays, fertilization is secured in the same manner as in all ver-
tebrates above fishes, as well as in insects, Crustacea, spiders, etc.,
namely, by the direct introduction of the male element into the
female reproductive organs. In this respect the Teleostei, however
specialized in other matters, took a step downwards, while the Elasmo-
branchs foreshadow, in their oviparous forms, the higher oviparous
vertebrates, and in their viviparous forms the mammalia. While
in the Teleostei the two sexes are usually much alike, and are distin-
guished externally only by slight differences in the form of the
abdomen, or in the color (especially at the breeding season), the
males of the Elasmobranchs may be readily distinguished by the
pair of large organs known as " claspers," which are really intromit-
tent organs.

The skin of the members of this class is more or less studded with
calcified papillae, forming, when the papillae are numerous and
thickly set, what is known as shagreen; and the entire skeleton is
cartilaginous.

This class is divided into two orders, the first of which includes
only the Chimsera and its allies, which are characterized by the
coalescence with the skull of the cartilage forming the upper jaw and
palate, and by the presence of a single gill-opening only, and the
Plagiostomi, or Sharks and Rays, in which the jaws are distinct
from the skull, and there are from five to seven gill-openings. The
pouches within these branchial slits are narrow, and divided from
each other .by a membrane, but the respiratory processes do not
extend to their edges, except in Chimaera and its allies.

The Sharks and Rays, the two sub-orders of the IJ/<i</iostomi, are
distinguished from each other chiefly by the more or less cylindrical
form and lateral gill-openings of the former, and the depressed body
and ventrally situated gill-openings of the latter. But the two orders
approach closely by such forms as the depressed monkfish and the
sawfish {Pristioplwrus), with lateral gill-openings, and the scarcely
more depressed sawfish {Pristis), with gill-openings on the under
surface.

ORDER HOLOCEPHALI — CHIMERAS.

Chimaera collhi, Rat-tail, Rat-fish — This species, the Pacific rep-
resentative of the Chimsera monstruosa of the Atlantic, is by no
means rare on all parts of the North American coast north of Point
Concepcion, and is occasionally, on account of its bizarre appear-
ance, brought into the market of San Francisco as a curiosity.
In museums it is one of the most ordinarily occurring species, for
every novice in icthyology who procures one, believes that such
thing was never seen before, and forwards it accordingly.

60

The two sexes of the chimsera differ widely in appearance. The
female is larger and stouter than the male, and has less singularity
of form, but the smaller male has upon the snout a curious cartila-
ginous organ, armed with recurved teeth on its button-like extrem-
ity. This projection can be used on occasion as a weapon of defense,
but its normal use is that of a prehensile organ, subservient to the
purpose of reproduction. The claspers of the male are of complex
structure.

While performing the reproductive act, the shorter male holds the
female lightly grasped by the pectoral fin, by means of the hooked
projection upon its forehead.

This fish frequents rather deep bays, feeds on fishes and marine
invertebrates, and takes the hook readily. It spawns in July, and
its egg-cases are long and slender, and unprovided with tentacles.
The liver is extremely large and fat, but the fish, which does not
exceed twenty to twenty-four inches in length, with a weight of from
six to eight pounds, is too small to allow of its profitable pursuit.

SUB-ORDER BATID.E — RAYS AND SKATES.

In the typical rays, Raiidse Dasybatidse, the trunk is surrounded
by the immensely developed pectoral fins, so that it forms a broad,
flat disk, from which protrudes posteriorly a more or less long and
slender tail. Some of the genera, however, approach the sharks,
having a thick tail, and much of the body free from the pectorals.
The gill openings are five in number, and are always on the lower
surface of the body. Spiracles (breathing holes), are always present ;
there is no anal fin, and the dorsal fins, if present, are quite small
and placed upon the tail. Fourteen species are now known to
inhabit our coast, and all but three are peculiar to the west coast of
North America. Previous to the visit of Professor Jordan, only
seven were known to occur.

Myliobatis califomicus, Stingaree, Sting Ray, Eagle Ray — This
species is abundant along our coast at least as far north as Tomales
Bay; and along the northern portion of its range is the only sting
ray known. As the pectoral fins are not continued around the
head, the sides of which are free, Myliobatis is not classed with the
Dasybatidse.

The Eagle Ray is especially abundant on sandy shores, and is very
destructive to oysters, for the mastication of which, the broad flat
surface presented by its hexagonal pavement like teeth is peculiarly
fitted. Ic also devours Crustacea and fishes, and reaches a weight of
seventy-five pounds. It is not eaten by whites, but is occasionally
dried by the Chinese.

Probably the same as Myliobatis aquila of the Mediterranean,
Atlantic, and Australian Coasts.

Manta birostris, Sea Vampire — This gigantic species, which reaches
fifteen to twenty feet in width, is said to occur on the extreme south-
ern part of our coast. The mouth is wide, at the anterior extremity
of the body, and contains teeth only in the lower jaw. These are
small but numerous, in about a hundred longitudinal rows. This
species is also called the Devil Fish, and has been said to carry down
men beneath its outstretched pectorals. It is best known from the
Atlantic, and is common in the Gulf of Mexico.

61

FAM. DASYBATID.E — STING RAYS.

Like the Raiicke this family has the pectoral fins continued around
the front of the head and confluent at the extremity of the snout,
but unlike them the tail is armed with a strong serrated spine
capable of inflicting considerable damage.

Three species are known to occur on our coast, one of which, Urolo-
phvs halleri, Round Sting Ray, is abundant in every bay and lagoon
and along sandy shores south of Point Conception, especially in San
Diego Bay. Although the smallest of the species, reaching a length
of eighteen inches only, it is the most dangerous, having great mus-
cular power in its tail and striking quickly and accurately. It is not
eaten though often taken in nets. An example thus taken was seen
by Professor Jordan to strike its " sting " quite through the body of
another one.

Dasybatis dipterurus is rather abundant in San Diego Bay, and.
in summer, many were seen of from two to two and a half feet
in length, without the tail.

Pteroplatea marmorata, is far broader than it is long, reaching two
and a half feet in width and two feel in length. It is common on
bays and on sandy shores from Santa Barbara southwards. -The
large individual- taken at San Pedro are sent to Los Angeles, where
they are eaten by the French residents. It is the only ray eaten
there.

I'AM. K.Uin.K — KAYS, SKATES.

Five species of this family are now known to be found upon our
coast, four of them discovered and described this year by Messrs.
Jordan and Gilbert.

Zapteryz exasperatus, abundant in San Diego Bay in winter, is too
small for use as food; and Raia stellulata, which in winter and
spring is very abundant in Monterey Bay, is not sent to market on
account of its very rough skin and dark brown color, which render
it less salable than the other rays.

Large numbers of both adult and young are taken in gill nets. It
reaches two to two and a half feet in length.

Raia rliina ranges from Monterey to Vancouver, is often taken with
hook and line from the wharf at Seattle, and is brought to San
Francisco market in company with the other rays. Elsewhere it is
seldom eaten, and is nowhere much valued. It reaches a length of
two and a half to three feet.

Raia binoculata, is on the whole the most abundant species of ray
in the markets of San Francisco, and is common along the coast
from thence to Monterey. Those brought to market are mostly
caught in the immediate vicinity. It reaches a length of two to two
and a half feet. The French are the chief consumers of this fish,
and eat it in the form of Rale avec buerre noir.

Raia cooperi — This is the giant of its tribe, reaching a length
of from five to six feet, and a weight of sixty pounds or more.
Those sent to San Francisco market are usually much smaller,
but examples three to four feet long may be seen there. From
the preceding species it may be known at sight by the white spots
upon its upper surface. It is abundant all along the coast from
Monterey to Alaska, especially in Puget Sound, frequenting bays and
sandy shores, and feeding on Crustacea and fishes. It is taken both

in nets and with hooks. Its egg cases, deposited in July, are about a
foot in length, and squarish with short tentacles at the angles. It
is seldom eaten except at San Francisco, and yields but little oil.

JAM. TORPEDINID.E TORPEDOES.

Torpedo californica is not often taken in the Bay of San Francisco,
but is tolerably common in the Bays of Tom ales and Monterey. The
fishermen in the latter bay do not appear to have seen any very
large exam i ilcs. but in the spring of this year one was brought to this
city from Tomales Bay of the respectable length of three feet and
half an inch, and measuring two feet across the disk. The width
across the ventrals was thirteen inches, the eyes were three inches
apart, and the spiracles an inch in length. The Italian fishermen
call it Tremulo. When fresh it is of a leaden color above, with darker
spots, and white below.

FAM. RHINOBATID.E.

Rhinobatus productus, Shovel-nose Shark, Guitar — The name
guitar refers to the form of this fish, intermediate between that of a
ray and a shark, having the thick tail of the latter, and the expanded
pectoral fins of the former. It is tolerably common in the Bay of
San Francisco and abundant in those of San Pedro and San Diego,
residing on muddy and sandy bottoms, and bringing forth its young
in August. It reaches a length of two feet or more. The tail is eaten
by the Chinese and Mexicans, but is not valued. Otherwise it is only
used as a bait for lobsters (Pamdirus).

It!:', iiobatns tri.seriatiis, Guitar — This species is much more ray-like
in its form than the preceding, the disk formed by the pectoral fins
predominating entirely over the rest of the body, the hinder portion
differs only from that of a skate by its somewhat greater thickness.
But the true skates or rays [Raiidas), are oviparous, while the present
species, like the preceding and all the PJiinobatidse, is viviparous.
Three or four young are produced in each ovarial sac, and are brought
forth in August. It reaches a length of two feet, and a weight of
four pounds. It is not used.

SUB-ORDER SQUALI — SHARKS.

Until Professor Jordan commenced his researches this year, only
nine species of sharks were on record from this coast, of which three
only, viz., Triads semifasdatus, Notorhynchvs maculatus, and Hetero-
dontus francisi, were peculiar to it. The list is now increased to
twenty, but all the newly recorded species are well known forms
inhabiting the opposite coast of the Pacific, or more commonly the
Atlantic, and Mediterranean also, so that it appears probable that all
the species found in the Atlantic will ultimately be found here.

None of the sharks are used as food by the white inhabitants of
this coast, but oil is expressed from the livers of some, and "sharks
fins" are sold to the Chinese. In Europe some of the smaller sharks
or dog-fishes are eaten.

Some of the sharks have spiracles, or breathing holes, but others
are without them; the dorsal fins are large, usually two in number,
and placed upon the body, and an anal fin is usually present. In

63

some of the species the eye is protected, like that of birds, by a nicti-
lating membrane, or interior eyelid.

Squatma angelus, Angel-fish, Angelo, Monk-fish — This curious
species is in many respects intermediate between the sharks and the
rays, while it differs from both in the terminal position of the mouth.
It is tolerably common in Tomales, San Francisco, and Monterey
Bays; and thence southward. It reaches a length of five feet and a
weight of seventy-five pounds, and ranges throughout the Pacific
and Atlantic Oceans, as well as in the Mediterranean. The monk-
fish has no anal fin, the pectorals are expanded horizontally, ray
fashion, and the dorsals are situated upon the tail portion of the body.

Heterodontus francisi, Leopard shark — This -hark is found at

st as far north as Monterey Bay, and is abundant at San Diego

and San Pedro Bays. It spawns in winter, and its egg-cases are

large, cylindrical, and a spirally twisted fringe around them. It

reaches two and a hah' feel in length.

This species extends along the coast of Mexico, but is apparently
distinct from the Australian .-peri,-. The family to which it belo;
is remarkable for its broad rolls, formed by the oblique series of
large lateral teeth in the jaw

NotorhynchtL8 maculatus — This shark has seven gill openings, has
been found at several points from Monterey northward to Puget
Sound. The teeth of the lower jaw are set with numerous cusps
upon their exterior edges, it attains a length of seven feet or more.
Professor Jordan has lately obtained of a - of Hexanchus having

six gill openings on each side. This he has named //. corinus. These
species have one dorsal only; and tl is without a nictitating

membrane.

Alopias vulpes, Fox Shark, Thresher — This species does not appear
to be common upon this coast, but undoubtedly occurs. It is
reported by Ayres from Tomales Bay; and a tail, which in this fish
is nearly equal in length to the rest of the body, and is thus enough
for identification, was found by Professor Jordan at Monterey. It is
occasionally taken in seines at Soquel.

This species is found also in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic.
The story that it attacks the whale appears to lack proof, as it is
difficult to understand how it could inflict much mischief on so
large an animal by striking it with its tail as is reported. It reaches
a length of thirteen feet.

CaiuLus \h nfr I rround Shark, Puffer Shark — This species does

not appear to occur north of Monterey Bay, but is tolerably abun-
dant at Santa Barbara in the winter, where it lives among the kelp,
ami is often caught in the lobster-pots set to catch the craw-fish or
spiny lobster (Po/o'//'/-//.s- interruptus), which is sent from Santa Bar-
bara to San Francisco in great numbers. The pots are baited with
salted fish of which the puffer appears to be very fond. None are
seen in summer. This shark has acquired its vernacular name from
its habit of inflating its stomach with air, after the fashion of a globe
fish (Diodon. Tetrodon), when it is made prisoner. It reaches two
and a half feet in length and is of no value to man. In February the
eggs are ready for extrusion, and this may account for its presence
near shore. The egg cases are flat, oblong, and quadrangular, with
very long tentacles at the angles.

Gdorhinus maximus, the Basking Shark — This is one of those
widely spread forms that inhabit both the Pacific and the Atlantic;

64

occurring alike off the coasts of Ireland and California. Tt is one of
the giants of the finny tribe, attaining a length of more than thirty
feet, but, spite of its size, is one of the least formidable of sharks. It's
teeth are very small ; showing that, like the giant cetaceans, it is not
adapted to prey upon large animals. Its presence on this coast was
not known to naturalists until Professor Jordan noted its presence
in Monterey Bay. The first example measured was thirty-one feet
in length. Since then, others have been brought or cast ashore.

The name of Basking Shark has been given to this fish on account
of its lazy habit of resting upon the surface of the water, with its
dorsal fin exposed.

It is occasionally harpooned in Monterey Bay, and now and then
becomes entangled in the gill nets. The livers are utilized for oil.

Sphyrna zygsena, Hammer-head Shark — This shark appears to
be tolerably abundant in Lower California, since several examples
were obtained there by W. I. Fisher in 187o and 1877, one of them
about fourteen feet long. An example, taken at San Pedro, was sent
to the Smithsonian Institute by Dr. Cooper. None of the finny-
inhabitants of the seas can show a more singularly shaped anterior
extremity than this species, which has its eyes placed at the end of
the transverse prolongations of the head, each of which is as broad
as it is long. The species occurs in all tropical and sub-tropical seas.

Mustelus Jtinnulus, the Dog Shark, and Rhinotriacis henlei, also
called the Dog Shark, are usually about two feet and a half long, but
occasionally more, and are used only for bait. The former is known
to feed chiefly on Crustacea and small fish. Neither are on record
north of San Francisco. Both are Atlantic species.

Triads semifasciatus, Leopard Shark, Cat Shark — This species is
abundant in Humboldt Bay, and thence southward, and is very
common everywhere, frequenting sandy shores and entering lagoons
in summer to spawn. It attains a length of five feet, but yields
hardly any oil, and thus is of no economic value. Peculiar to this
coast,

Galeorhinus galeus, Tope, Oil Shark — Very abundant everywhere
south of San Francisco from May to August, when it enters lagoons
to spawn, and is taken in great numbers for the oil furnished by
the liver. Soquel and Monterey, and more especially Westminster
and Newport, near San Luis Obispo, are the places where this fishery
is carried on. It feeds on any other fish, but herring and similar
silvery fish make the best bait. It attains a length of five feet, and
a weight of fifty or sixty pounds, but thirty-five to forty pounds is
more usual.

From two thirds of a gallon to a gallon of oil is obtained from the
liver. The pectoral, dorsal, and caudal fins are cut off and sold to
the Chinese, at twelve and a half cents per pound, for soup fish.

The Tope occurs in all temperate and tropical seas, as do also Gal-
eoeerdo tigrinus, Carcharinus glemcus, and Eulamia lamia. The second
of these is the Blue Shark of the British coast, and attains a length
of eleven feet.

Lamna cornubica (Porbeagle); Isurus oxyrhynchus — These two allied
species seem to be rare on this coast, yet undoubtedly occur. Doctor
C. L. Anderson, of Santa Cruz, has a drawing of an example of the
former species taken at that place in 1S79, and the jaws of another
specimen were procured by Professor Jordan at Wilmington. A
small individual of the latter species was sent from Monterey Bay

65

to San Francisco in August last as a curiosity, and was secured by
Professor Jordan. It is common in the British Channel, and occurs
in the Mediterranean, in the Atlantic Ocean, and on the shores of
Japan.

The Isurus is found on the Atlantic Coast of the United States.

Carcharodon carcharias, Man eater, White Shark, Great Blue Shark —
The White Shark, the terror of the waters, the "man eater" who
swallows sailors and carries off innocent bathers, has been found in
Monterey Bay. Lest this announcement should bring ruin to the
bathing-houses of Santa Cruz and Monterey, it is well to remark that
either because of his comparative rarity, or because he has not yet
learned to relish the taste of Caucasian flesh, he does not appear to
have ever made off with any of the fair Nereides who frequent those
well known beaches Professor Jordan secured the jaws of an exam-
ple twenty feet in length, taken at Soquel this year, and records the
capture of one twenty feet in length at Carmelo. A few years ago a
young sealion, weighing one hundred pounds, was taken from the
stomach of one of these monsters caught at Soquel.

The only useful part of this fish is the liver, from which oil is
expressed. This large and dangerous shark, which attains a length
of thirty-six feet, occurs in all oceans and large seas of temperate
and tropical regions.

Sommosus microcephalia, Black Ground Shark, Nurse Shark — This
species is not recorded south of Puget Sound, where it is not very
uncommon, and is occasionally taken on trawl lines set for dog-fish.
It attains a length of eight feet, and is very sluggish, lying in the
water like a log. The livers are used for making Dog-fish Oil."

Squalus acanthias, L., Dog-fish, Spinarola — The "Piked Dog-fish,"
is found at Santa Barbara and Monterey, but is not abundant south
of Puget Sound, where it is taken in vast quantities for the oil in its
liver. It has a long spine before each of the two dorcals.

It inhabits deep or quiet bays and channels, and conies into shal-
low water in pursuit of schools of herring and salmon. Its chief
food is the herring, but it eats everything it can, even its own young,
which in Puget Sound are born in June.

It reaches a length of three feet, and inhabits all temperate seas of
both the northern and the southern hemispheres. It occurs on the
coast of Alaska as far north as Kodiak.

CLASS MARSIPOBRANCHII.

Entosphenus tridentatus, Large Lamprey — The species of Lamprey,
formerly supposed to be five, have under investigation dwindled to
two, namely the small Ammocoetes plumbeus and the large EntospheniLS
tridentatus.

The latter reaches a length of two feet, is extremely fat, and has
been observed at various points from Santa Cruz to Puget Sound.
Like other lampreys it ascends rivers in spring to spawn. It runs
up the Columbia in June. In Humboldt county, and probably else-
where, it is occasionally eaten.

Ammocostes plumbeus, the small Lamprey or Lamperina, is very thin
and small, often only about six inches long, and never over a foot.

Polistotrema dombeyi, Llag — The habits of the Myxines or Hags
are, in a general way, well known, but the writer had never wit-
92

66

nessed the result of their ravages until this summer, when, on a
visit tn Monterey, where it is especially abundant, he was shown
by Professor Jordan several rock cod which had been literally

ten alive by them, and had washed ashore mere shells. The
hag enters by the gills, or occasionally by devouring the eye, and
- its way into the flesh of its victim, consuming it until it dies
of weakness, but presumably leaving, like the ichneumons thai
prey upon butterfly caterpillars, the vital parts untouched till last.
Shells of fishes thus eaten are frequently found in Monterey Bay,
and are usually quite fresh, as if but just dead. The hag is fitted
for its work by its suctorial mouth, terminal, soft, unprovided with
jaws, and forming a round opening when in use, as well as by
two rows of teeth on each side of the gullet. The mouth is sur-
rounded by barbels, and in preserved examples is scarcely visible.
The aspect of the hag, the lowest of vertebrates except the lancelet
(if the latter has any right to be called a vertebrate), is strongly sug-
gestive of a relationship between worms and vertebrates, and the
observer can scarcely maintain the superiority of such a creature
this over beings organized as intricately as insects and Crustacea. In
form it is wormlike. There is no fin above or below to break the
continuous round body, and the barbels suggest a worm, rather than
a vertebrate; yet a vertebrate it undoubtedly is, having the nervous
system and backbone of a vertebrate, although the former is of low
order, and the latter is but a cartilaginous rod, with a rudimentarj7
cranial expansion at its anterior extremity.

This species, which is widely spread, was first noticed as Californian
by myself, and was described as new, under the name of Bdellostoma
stouti, from an example taken in Eel River, Humboldt County,
California — a river which derives its name not from the presence of
eels, but of lampreys and hags, both of which are sold for food as
eels. The number of gill openings is not — at least in some examples —
equal on both sides, but is twelve on one side and eleven on the
other.

The fishermen of Monterey declare that one of these parasitic fishes
will devour a fish of six to eight pounds weight in a single night. It
is especially destructive to fish taken in gill-nets. When the hulk
is taken out of the net, the hag scrambles out with great alacrity.
It reaches a length of fourteen inches, and is not used for food at
Monterey.

07

RECKIPTS AND EXPENDITURES.

The following is on account of receipts and expenditures since our
last report:

Receipts.

November 1, 1879 — By cash on hand as per last report $3,873 70

July 29, 1880— By cash, State appropriation 5,000 00

Total - $8,873 70

Expenditures.

November 1 , 1879— To paid II. C. Marks, balance due, c ■■port for printer 60 00

November 23, 1879 — To paid Cowdery & Preston, attorn suits in Fishwa;

Stanislaus, and Merced 23 00

December 24, 1879 — To paid expense in transporter rp from Washington

December 27, L879 — To paid Livingston Stone, or I of batching ..500,000

salmon 1,054 50

January 1. 1880 — To paid half month fish hatching, •'. G. Woodbury, December,

: coas oil, express, wood, and sundries, $23 45 98 45

January ."., i - postage oj 10,000 tro

January 26, 1880 To paid L. Stone, 50,001 en

fish cans, $73 60 278 40

January 26, 1880 — To paid H. Pither, 2.500 cat-fish, barrels, and express

January 26, 1880 — To paid drafts exchange, $1 00; Well.-. Fa: napany, ex-
pressage on cat-fish, $9 75 10 75

January .".1, 1880 ,$2; brush and broom, $2 35. 4 35

January 31, 1880 — To paid J. G. W Ibury, on account of January, fish hatching... 30 00

February 3, L880 — To paid J. A. Richardson, three quart iuary__

February It'.. 1880 — To paid Marks, ■!.<>. \Y <nt

offish hatching, $60 -. ". 70 00

February 20, 1880 -To paid expense for distributing cat-fish in Alameda 6 10

•h 6, 1880 — To paid drayage and expn Woodbury, balance for January.

fish hatching, $60 '. . . 62 00

April 3, 1880 — To paid two telegrams, $1 1 .$2 50. 10 05

April 26, 1880— To paid J. B. Campbell, 33,000 trout ■ -3 50. 103 .00

April 1'ti, 1880 — To paid J. A. Richardson, three months' iab y first 300 00

May 6, 1880 — To paid freight, express, salt, telegrams, paint, and other items

May 6, 1880 — To peid Woodbury, thr> i .-' fish hatching to May first 450 00

June 7, 1880 — To ople's Ice Company's bill, ice, February to May

June 17, 1880 — To paid fare of assistants for transporting shad to Tehama

June 25, i 380 — To paid express on cans from fosemite ... 90

July 1, IScSO — To paid Woodbury, exp •arp for Mare Island 24 05

July 15, 1880 — To paid Marks, on account of labor, copying 20 00

July 16, 1880— To paid A. W. Von Schmidt, examination of dams on Pitt River 100 00

July 30, 1S80 — To paid Marks, balance for labor, copying

July 30, 1880— To paid H. Pither, expense for distributing 5,300 cat-fish ._ 122 70

August 2, 1880 — To paid H. Pither, expense for distribul - "> cas-fish 55 50

August 2, 18S0 — To paid L. Stone, balance due on hatching 2,500,000 salmon

October 11, 1880 — To paid express on fish cans to San Leandro 1 00

December 8, 1880 — To paid Lockington, report on Pacific Coast fish 100 00

December 8, 1880 — To paid Wells, Fargo & Company, express on cans, $1 ; J. H.

Stone, salmon statistics. .~?50 _" 51 00

December 8, 1880 — To paid Marks, on account, copying report 20 00

December 17, 1880— To paid H. Pither, catching, transporting, and distributing 2.750

cat-fish 95 50

December 22, 1880 — To paid H. D. Dunn, gathering salmon statistics 20 00

December 22, 1880— To paid L. Stone, hatching 2.250,000 salmon 1,002 50

January 3, 1881 — To paid galvanized wire . 1 25

January 3, 1881— On hand to balance ... 4,258 55

Total $8,873 70

68

This balance of $4,258 55 will be consumed in the hatching of
native and foreign fish during the present Winter, and in the impor-
tation of striped bass and shad in the Spring.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

B. B. REDDING,

S. R. THROCKMORTON,

J. D. FAR WELL,

Fish Commissioners.

69

LIST OF FISH COMMISSIONERS.

UNITED STATES.

Prof. Spencer F. Baird . .Washington, D. C.

ALABAMA.

Charles 8. G. Doster . -- ..Prattsville.

1). B. Eundley Courtland.

ARKANSAS.

N. B. Pierce Osage Mills.

CALIFORNIA.

S. E. Throckmorton incisoo.

!:. B. Redding *•"' Frai

.1. D. Fai w< - Nil

Ml ('II li. \\.

Eli R. Miller... Richland.

A. J. Kellogg Detroit.

Dr. J. C. Parker Grand Rapids.

MINNESOTA.

Dim id Cameron La Crescent.

Win. W. Sweenej , M. D. I: d Wing.

R. Ormsbj St. Paul.

■['III.

Hon. H. Clay Ewine
Jolm Reid

ferson City.
Lexii

I OLOH LDO. '. K.

W.E.Sisty Brookval--. R.R.Livingston I oouth.

CONNECTICUT. " * Cloud.

\\ . L. -May Fremont.

DA.

W. M. Hudson 1 1 ait for, I.

Roberl G. Pike Middletown.

G.N.Woodruff »rman. H. G. Parker CarsonCity.

GEORGIA.

HEW HAMPSI

Thomas P. James Atlanta.

Samuel i ... Manch

ILLINOIS.

N. K.Fairbank Chicago.

S. P. Bartlett Quincy

Luther Hayes Milton.

Albina 11. Plymouth.

IOWA.

15. F. Shaw Ana

KANSAS.

D. B. Long Ellsworth.

KENTUCKY.

Wm. Griffith, President Louisville.

Hon. John A. Sleei Midway.

Dr. Wm. Van Antwerp Mount Sterling.

A. H. Goble - Collettsburg.

Hon. C. J. Walton Munfordst

Dr. S. W. Coombs Bowling Green.

John B. Walker Madisonville.

W. C. Price Danville.

P. H. Darby Princeton.

Hon. M.J. Chambers. Independence, Kenton Co.

MAINE.

E. M. Stilwell Bangor.

Everett Smith Portland.

MARYLAND.

Major T. B. Ferguson Baltimore.

Thomas Hughlett Easton.

MASSACHUSETTS.

NEW J ERE

Dr. B. P. Howell -Woodberry.

E. J. Anderson Trenton.

Theo. Mi Newl

NEW YORK.

Hon. R. B. Roosevelt - ..New York.

Edward M. Smith Rochester.

Richard C. Sherman New Hartford,
gene G. Blackford Brooklyn.

NORTH CAROLINA.

P. M. Wilson Raleigh.

OHIO.

J. C. Fisher Coshocton-

R. dimming- Toledo-

L. A. Harris Cincinnati.

PENNSYLVANIA.

H. J. Reider Easton.

B. L. Hewitt Hollidaysburg.

James Duffy Marietta.

John Hummel Selingsgrove.

Robert Dalzell Pittsburg.

G. M. Miller Wilkesbarre.

RHODE ISLAND.

Theodore Lyman Brookline. Newton Dexter Providence

E. A. Bracket t. Winchester.

Asa French Boston.

John H. Barden Rockland.

Alfred A. Reid .._ Providence.

III CAROLINA.

A. P. Butler Columbia.

TENNESSEE.

W. W. McDowell Memphis.

rge I". Akers Nashville.

Hoik T. W. Turley Knoxville.

TEXAS.

J. H. Dinkins Austin.

UTAH.

Prof. J. L. Barfoot Salt Lake City.

VERMONT.

Dr. M. Goldsmith Rutland.

Charles Barrett Grafton.

VIRGINIA.

M. McDonald Lexington.

WEST VIRGINIA.

Henrv B. Miller Wheeling.

C. S. White Romney.

X. M. Lowry Hinton.

(I

WISCONSIN.

Governor William E. Smith Madison.

Philo Dunning .Madison.

J. V. Jones Oshkosh.

C. L. Valentine Janesville.

Mark Douglas Melrose, Jackson Co.

John F. Antisdel Milwaukee.

< '. Hutchinson Beetown, Grant Co.

CANADA.

W. II. Whitcher Ottawa, Ontario.

S. Wilmot... New Castle, Ontario.

NEW BRUNSWICK.

W. F. Venning St. John.

NOVA SCOTIA.

W. H. Rogers Amherst.

PRINCE EDWARDS ISLAND.

J. II. Duvar Alberton.

BRITISH COLUMBIA.

Alex. C. Anderson Victoria.