FAMILY LABRID^ — CTENOLABRUS. 173| 



finely denticulated on its posterior margin, and for a short distance along its rounded angle ; 

 beneath smooth. Mouth protractile, with fleshy lips. 



Teeth. A series of sixteen to eighteen acute teeth in the upper, and from twenty to twenty- 

 two in the lower jaw ; those in front somewhat recurved. Behind these, in both jaws, are 

 bands of smaller velvet-like teeth. In the pharynx above, the teeth are distributed in two equal 

 patches ; they are long and blunt, and contain about twenty in each group. Below these are 

 about forty in number, of a similar size and shape, and arranged in one triangular group. 

 Tongue free and small. A fold of membrane extends transversely across the roof of the mouth, 

 and a similar one opposite in the lower jaw. 



The dorsal fin commences with a short spine, nearly above the gill openings ; the first 

 eighteen are spinous, lower in front, and very gradually increasing in length ; (in fresh speci- 

 mens, there is a short fleshy filament on each spine ;) the remaining ten rays branched, higher, 

 with a rounded margin to that part of the fin, nearly coterminal with the anal fin. The pec- 

 torals are placed under the second or third dorsal ray, broad, rounded, and composed of fifteen 

 articulated and branched, rays. Ventrals just behind the pectorals, and composed of one stout 

 short spine, and five exceedingly ramose rays. The anal fin longer than high, of three stout 

 spinous and nine branched rays, of which the sixth and seventh are longest. Caudal short 

 and rounded, with its base covered with scales. 



Color. There is scarcely any fish whose colors are so variable as this species. In the 

 smaller individuals, the general color is blue, more or less mixed with brown ; and faint 

 dusky transverse bars may be frequently seen. In the larger specimens, as in the one now 

 before me, which is twelve inches long, the colors are bright and showy, a light orange- 

 colored tint pervading the whole body. In these, also, the head and opercles are of a beau- 

 tiful chocolate mixed with bright blue ; the fins of a blue, more or less brilliant. 



Length, 6-0- 12-0. 



Fin rays, D. 18.10; P. 15; V. 1.5; A. 3.9; C. 15 |. 



The specific name burgall, which has been applied to this species on the authority of 

 SchoepflF, is erroneous. SchoepflF neither indicated nor suggested any specific name, simply 

 stating that it was called Burgall at New- York. The prior and better name of ceruleus, pro- 

 posed by Mitchill in his first report, (and which appears to have escaped the notice of my 

 learned friend M. Valenciennes,) must be adopted. 



The Bergall has various popular names : Nibbler, from its vexatious nibbUng at the bait 

 thrown out for other fishes ; Chogset, a name derived from the Mohegan dialect, but its pur-, 

 port unknown ; Bergall, I suppose to be of Dutch origin, as its use seems to be confined to 

 the neighborhood of New-York. It is also called Blue-fish, on account of its prevaihng color. 

 At Boston, it is often called Blue Perch ; and generally among the eastern fishermen. Gunner, 

 or Conner. This last name is applied to a Crenilabrus on the coast of Sussex and Hamp- 

 shire in England, from whence I presume it was derived. 



The bergall is very common on our coast. The larger fish are held in some repute, but the 

 flesh is rather insipid and watery. Some consider the smaller ones, when skinned, as an 



