Sebastes oculata, _Cuv. et Val._ Hist. des Poiss. tom. ix. p. 344.
FORM.—Greatest depth contained about three times and three quarters in
the entire length. Head about one-third of the same. Eyes large; the
interocular space, equalling rather more than half their diameter,
concave, with two longitudinal ridges running respectively parallel
to the two superciliary ridges. Two spines on the upper part of the
snout, in a line with the nostrils; one at the anterior part of the
orbit; three at the posterior, passing off in a line towards the
occiput, where there are two other moderately strong ones
terminating the lateral occipital ridges; five very strong spines or
teeth edging the rounded angle of the preopercle; two sharp ones at
the posterior angle of the opercle, the upper one most developed;
one at the scapula, and two at the suprascapular. There are either
three orifices to each nostril, or else, adjoining the two usual
openings, a large pore so manifest (at least in this specimen in its
dried state) as easily to be mistaken for a third: this additional
one is close to the nasal spine. Dorsal spines of only moderate
strength: anal stronger, especially the second, which is very stout,
as well as the longest of the three; the third, however, is more
than half the length of the soft rays. Pectorals broad and rounded;
their length contained about four times and a half in the entire
length; first ray simple, the next eight branched, the nine
lowermost simple again, and rather stouter than the others. The
caudal appears to have been square. Scales small and ciliated,
covering nearly the entire head, as well as body, but very thinly
scattered on the extremity of the snout in advance of the nostrils.
D. 13/14; A. 3/6; C. 14, and 3 shorter ones; P. 18; V. 1/5.
Length 10 inches.
COLOUR.—“Under surface, sides, branchial covering, and part of the
fins, ‘tile and carmine red;’ dorsal scales pale yellowish dirty
brown.”—D. In its present dried state, the colour is of a uniform
brown.
Habitat, Valparaiso.
This species is probably the _S. oculata_ of Valenciennes; but the depth
rather exceeds, and in its recent state it must have still more
exceeded, one-fourth of the entire length, the proportion given in the
“Histoire des Poissons.” The spines on the opercle and suprascapular
also can hardly be called “smaller,” as there stated, than those on the
orbit and occiput, at least the upper one on the opercle. There are also
two soft rays less in the anal. It may be added further, that Mr.
Darwin’s notes make no mention of the four brilliant rose-coloured spots
along the base of the dorsal fin, spoken of by Valenciennes.
The _S. oculata_ was discovered by M. Gay at Valparaiso, where Mr.
Darwin’s specimen also was obtained. It is the only species of this
genus on record brought hitherto from South America. It may be stated,
however, that Mr. Darwin has a drawing of another species, made by Mr.
P. King, found also at Valparaiso, differing from the above in having
the spines on the head less developed, and apparently, in some of its
characters, approaching the _S. variabilis_. This last is a species
inhabiting the sea which separates N. America from Kamtschatka.