ORDER I. BONY FISHES. ACANTHOPTERYGIL (SPINY-FINS). 167 
In the summer of 1869, I had an opportunity, through the politeness of 
J. A. D. Worcester, Esq., proprietor of the Mattapoisett House, Matta- 
poisett, Mass., of examining the three following species of Labri, which 
were caught in Buzzard’s Bay, directly in front of that popular hotel, where 
they are usually very abundant : — 
L. Americanus. — The Black-fish, or Tautog. The favorite haunts of 
this fish appear to be among the rocks of Mattapoisett Harbor, and the 
waters in the vicinity of New Bedford. The species exhibits a considerable 
variety of markings, although generally it is bluish-black above, varied with 
bands and blotches, which become darker towards the abdomen, which is 
whitish. The head is nearly without scales; lips thick and fleshy ; eyes cir- 
cular ; pupils blue-black ; and the lateral line rises just above the operculum, 
and curves with the body. The pectoral fins are of the color of the abdo- 
men, and rounded at the extremity. The ventrals are situated a short 
distance back of the pectorals, and are dark-colored above, and white 
beneath. 
The excellence of this fish has caused it to be transferred into Massachu- 
setts Bay, where it seems to flourish quite as well as in the more southern 
waters, large numbers being taken annually all along the coast. The Tau- 
tog varies much in size, very large specimens being sometimes met with. 
A few years ago one was taken in Mattapoisett Harbor, which weighed 
fourteen pounds and three ounces. ‘The flesh is very delicate, and in great 
demand among epicures. 
L. Squeteague. —The Otolithus regalis of Cuvier. Weak-fish, or 
Squeteague. 
Dr. Storer, in his report on the Fishes of Massachusetts (1837-8), 
says, — 
* This species, which was, some years since, found in large numbers about 
Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard, has, of late, entirely disappeared. Dr. 
Yale, of Holmes’ Hole, writes me, ‘The Sgueteague has deserted these 
waters; there has not been one taken for three or four years about here ; 
they left about the time the Blue-fish came.’ Hlon. H. Barnard, of Nan- 
tucket, also says, “The Squeteague, or Weak-fish, have disappeared since 
the return of the Blue-fish, which are their avowed enemy. Our fishermen 
say they have not seen one for six years.’ Thus it appears, that while 
the Blue-fish was absent, they were abundant, and at the appearance of 
the Blue-fish, they left us.” 
Ihave no reason to doubt the general correctness of this statement re- 
garding the eccentric movements of the Squeteague, — their long and mys- 
terious absence from their usual haunts, — but I am quite sure the cause 
must be sought-for in something very different from the one here assigned, 
