110 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



The caudal fin is nearly even at its posterior extremity; its rays are longer than high. 



The fin rays are as follows : — D. 18 - 11. P. 15. V. 6. A. 12. C. 16. 



Length, from six to fourteen inches. 



Remarks. This very common species is taken from the middle of June until late in 

 October, and is brought to market in immense quantities. Being considered an 

 excellent fish for the table when fried, it meets with a ready sale. It is caught with the 

 hook along our entire coast, from the rocks and bridges and boats ; and is taken along the 

 shores of the islands in great numbers in nets. It is kept alive for the market in large 

 cars, which are located in the neighborhood ; these cars, which are about three feet 

 deep and twelve or fifteen feet in length, are closed beneath, and latticed at their sides ; 

 being anchored in deep water, the tide is constantly flowing through them and 

 changing the water. Sometimes as many as five thousand fish will be contained in a 

 single car ; this car will be daily called upon for the supply needed in the market, and 

 is replenished each week or fortnight, as may be required. 



Newfoundland, Cuvier. Maine, Massachusetts, Storer. Connecticut, Ayres. 

 New York, Mitchill, Cuvier, Dekay. 



GENUS II. TAUTOGA, Mitch. 



Jaws with a double row of teeth. Opercle and preopercle without spines or 

 denticulations, and with few or no scales. 



Tautoga Americana, Dekay. 

 The Tautog. 

 (Plate XX. Fig. 2.) 



Labrus Ajnericanus, Bloch, Schn., p. 261. 



Tautoga niger, Mitchill, Report in part, p. 23. 



Labrus tautoga, Dlack-Jish or Tautog, Mitchill, Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc. of N. Y., i. p. 399. 



Labrus Americanus, Black-jish or Tautog, Stoker, Report, p. "6. 



" " " " Atbes, Bost. Journ. Nat. Hist., iv. p. 263. 



Le Tautogue noir (Tautoga nigra, Mitch.), Ccv. et Val., siii. p. 293. 

 Tautoga Americana, Neio York Tautog, Dekay, Report, p. 175, pi. 14, fig. 39. 



" " Stoker, Mem. Amer. Acad., New Series, II. p. 389. 



" " " Synopsis, p. 137. 



Color. This species varies considerably in its markings. Generally, however, it is 

 of a bluish-black above, diversified with bands and blotches, mottled with darker spots 

 towards the abdomen, which is whitish. Pupils black, irides silvery. 



Description. The body is regularly arched from the tip of the snout to the 



