THE FISHES OF NEW JERSEY. 343 
portion usually long, its spines rather slender, III to XX in 
number. Anal similar to soft dorsal, with II to VI spines. Ven- 
trals thoracic, I, 5, inserted below pectorals, which are sometimes 
subthoracic. 
Fishes of the tropical seas, living among rocks or kelp. Many 
are brilliantly colored, and some are valued as food. Most feed 
upon mollusks, the dentition being adapted for crushing shells. 
Two species on our shores. 
Key to the genera. 
a. Preopercle serrate; opercles scaly; muzzle a little pointed. TAUTOGOLABRUS 
aa. Preopercle entire; opercles naked; muzzle a little blunt. TAUTOGA 
Genus TAUTOGOLABRUS Gtinther. 
The Cunners. 
Tautogolabrus adspersus (Walbaum). 
PLATE 609. 
Bengal. Gall. Bergall. Nibbler. Conner. 
Head. 3%; depth 3%4; D. XVIII, 10; A. III, 9; scales 36 in 
lateral line to base of caudal and 4 more on latter; 6 scales ob- 
liquely back from base of third dorsal spine; 13 scales in a 
vertical series between origin of spinous anal and lateral line; 
snout 31/,, in head; eye 424; maxillary 4%; interorbital space 
324; seventeenth dorsal spine 234 ; fourth dorsal ray 2'/,,; third 
anal spine 234 ; fifth anal ray 2; caudal 1°/,; least depth of cau- 
dal peduncle 2; pectoral 134 ; ventral 124. Body elongate, rather 
slender, robust, compressed. Head rather large, nearly as deep 
as long, with conic profile. Snout conic. Eye high, anterior, 
and a little elongate. Jaws not notably produced, even. Mouth 
oblique. Maxillary not quite reaching eye. Teeth unequal, conic, 
pointed, and no posterior canines. In front of upper jaw 4 
canines, and same number in lower. Lateral teeth enlarging 
anteriorly. Bands of small concave teeth behind canines. Lips 
thick and fleshy. Interorbital space convex. Margin of pre- 
