CATALOGUE OF VERTEBRATES. 743 



plates ; lower pharyngeals completely united into one without median 

 suture ; lips thick and plicate ; ventrals thoracic ; most feed on mol- 

 lusks, having teeth adapted for crushing shells. 



CTENOLABRUS, Cuv. & Val. 



C. adspersus, Walb. (Tautogolabrus, Labrus, burgall, coeruleus.) Gunner. 

 Chogset. Blue Perch. Bergall. 



Pharyngeal teeth not confluent; teeth all conical, set in a 

 band ; the outer enlarged ; no posterior canines ; body slender, 

 compressed ; head pointed ; cheeks with small scales, opercles 

 with large ones; preopercle serrate; lateral line abruptly bent 

 near posterior part of dorsal ; spiny part of dorsal the longer ; 

 anal spines strong ; pectorals short ; color brownish blue, with 

 brassy luster; young variegated with black blotch on dorsal. 

 Dorsal rays, XVIII, 10 ; anal rays, III, 9 ; lateral-line scales, 

 45; length, 12 inches. 



" This is a numerous species, found about the coast generally, 

 and not prized as an article of food. It has many common 

 names, as ' nibbler,' ' Conner/ &c." 



HIATULA, Lac. 



(Tautoga, Mitch.) 



H. onitis, L. (Labrus, americana, gardeniana, hiatula.) Blackfish. Tau- 

 tog. Oyster-fish. 



Preopercle entire ; cheeks scaly, but opercles naked ; teeth in 

 two series, strongest in front; eye small, high up; head large; 

 mouth small ; dorsal low and long ; spines with cutaneous 

 appendage at tip ; caudal short and truncate ; branchiostegals 

 five; color blackish ; young greenish, with three pairs of irregu- 

 lar, chain-like bars; pectorals short. Dorsal rays, XVI, 10; 

 anal rays, III, 8 ; lateral-line scales, 60. 



" Found more or less abundant along the coast during the 

 summer and autumn. They are prized as a market fish, and are 

 brought to the various towns of the State throughout the winter. 

 They occasionally are found in the rivers where the water has 

 ceased to be brackish." 



