344 REPORT OF NEW JERSEY STATE MUSEUM 
opercle finely serrated. Gill-rakers 5 + 10, short and spinescent. 
Scales rather small, smaller still on predorsal region and base of 
caudal. Opercle scaly, and 4 rows on cheek, and head with these 
exceptions naked. Fins naked, except base of caudal. Lateral 
line interrupted at caudal peduncle. Dorsal long, low, spinous 
portion much longer than rayed, margin notched, a little higher 
posteriorly, and inserted a trifle behind origin of pectoral. Rayed 
dorsal rounded, and inserted a little nearer base of caudal than 
tip of depressed pectoral. Spinous anal inserted about midway 
between origin of pectoral and base of caudal, graduated to third 
spine, which is longest, second subequal. Rayed anal similar 
to rayed dorsal. Caudal with convex posterior margin. Pec- 
toral broad, rounded, a little over half way to origin of anal. 
Ventral inserted a little behind origin of pectoral, about 24 of 
space to anal. Color in life livid bluish, shaded dusky above. 
Length 61% inches. Anglesea. 
Abundant along our coast, and a pest to wharf-fishermen, as it 
nibbles the bait off the hook. ‘They are useful as scavengers, 
however, and though of too small size as food-fish, reaching a 
length of but 10 inches, are of fine flavor. It prefers the vicinity 
of wharves, rocks or abrupt banks. My examples from Grassy 
Sound and Barnegat Pier. 
Tautogolabrus adspersus Abbott, Geol. N. J., 1868, p. 809. 
Ctenolabrus adspersus Bean, Bull. U. S. F. Com., VII, 1887, 
p. 137.—Smith, Bull. U. S. Fish Com., XII, 1892, p. 378. 
Ctenolabrus ceruleus Baird, Icon. Encyl. Sci. Lit. Art., IL 
LG5i, p:.200: 
Genus Tautoca Mitchill. 
The Black Fishes. 
Tautoga onitis (Linnzus). 
PLATE 70. 
3lack Fish. ‘Tfautoga. ‘Tautog. Smooth Black Fish. Chub. 
Sea Tog. 
Head 3; depth 3%; D. XVII, ro, 1; A. III, 10, 1; scales 60 in 
lateral line to fac’ of caudal and 6 more on latter; snout 3 in 
