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THE SCUPPAUG. STEXOTOMCS CHRTSOPS. 



THE SCUPPAUG AND THE FAIR MAID. 



Bait the hook well ; this fish will bite. 



Shakespeare, Much Ado About Notkitig, Act ii, Scene iii. 



OCUPPAUG, the name of this fish, is an abbreviation of J//^//^'?///^//^^, 

 an appellation used by the Narragansett Indians, which has unfor- 

 tunately been corrupted to form two others, neither of which is euphon- 

 ious or significant. In New England it is generally called "Scup," 

 while about New York the second syllable of the abbreviated Indian 

 name has been lengthened into " Paugy " or "Porgy." The latter 

 name is particularly objectionable because it belongs to an Eng- 

 lish fish, and its proper etymology as a fish -name is very different. 

 Another Indian word, " poghaden," a corrujit form of the Abnaki name 

 for the menhaden, or moss-bunker, has been changed to " pogy " and 

 "■ porgy," thus leading to much confusion. " Scuppaug " is an excellent 

 name for the fish, and its claims for general adoption will be recognized 

 by all who wish to preserve the memory of the aboriginal languages of 

 America. 



