dns 
x 
ig 
388 * Storer on the 
- Bay, it is now taken along a large portion of the 
coast. At Plymouth and Nahant, at some seasons, ~ 
quently caught from the bridges leading from | 
Boston. From one of these bridges, a specimen ^. 
it is found in no inconsiderable numbers, and is fre- _ 
was taken a few years since, weighing eleven pounds 
and three quarters. The Boston market is for the - 
most part supplied, however, by Wellfleet. I am 
informed that in 1836 three smacks were constantly 
employed in the harbor of South Wellfleet, in the 
tautog fishery, from April to November, and that 
it was a profitable occupation to those engaged in 
it. Large numbers are carried from this latter place 
to New York. At New Bedford, 300 pounds of 
fresh tautog have been sold by a single market- 
boat in a day. This fish is also pickled at the last 
place, and may be. kept in a weak brine for a long 
time. In this state, they are considered by epi- 
cures a great delicacy. Mr. Henry Blood, of New 
Bedford, informs me, that a specimen of this fish 
was: taken in Rochester harbor, which weighed four- 
teen pounds and three ounces. The largest indi- 
vidual of which 1 Mire any knowledge, weighed 
+ 
This species varies 3i derby. in its markings ; ; 
. generally, however, it is of a bluish black -— 
diversified with bands and blotches, mottled wi 
darker co towards the abdomen. ‘Abdomen: w i 
tish. . 
Body regularly arched from the tip of S eont 
` to the extremity of the of the 
head to the posterior angle of the operculum, 
d re 
ae is Ša c Und : 
p. Diis Ld * 
