238 



LO WER VFAl TEBRA TES. 



Of the LabrinsB two genera occur in the European seas, and two along the northern 

 coast of the United States. 



The wrasses of Europe constitute the genus Labrus, which has given name to the 

 family. 



The tautog or black-fish is the only known representative of a peculiar genus — 

 Tautoga or Hiatula — and has been known longer than most of the American fishes ; it 

 is named T. onitis. Its teeth are in two rows, the gill-co\ers naked, and the preoper- 

 cle entire along its edge ; when old it is blackish, but diversified with lighter shades. 

 The tautog reaches a tolerably large size, sometimes as much as twelve to fifteen 

 pounds ; but such a weight is quite exceptional. 



The range of the tautog is from ]Maine to South Carolina. It is a lover of rocky 

 shores, and water of about the depth of six to eight fathoms, but of coui-se is not con- 

 fined within such limits. It puts in an appearance on the coast at the commencement 

 of moderately warm weather, and retires with its termination into deeper waters. It 



Fig. 136. — Tautoga onitis, tautog. 



is quite sensitive to cold, and is said to hibernate ; the belief is general among well- 

 informed fishermen that the vent also closes for the cold season. . 



The flesh of the tantog is excellent, being " white, dry, and of a delicate flavor." 

 The tautog is caught mainly in pounds and weirs, but also to a large extent by hook 

 and line ; its capture for the eastern markets, according to Mr. Goode, is " chiefly 

 accomplished by the line fishermen of southern Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and 

 the weir fishermen of the same district," but "no one fishes for tautog alone." But 

 Mr. Goode adds that " at least two hundred fishermen are entu-ely or partly engaged 

 in this business between Cape Cod and Kew York." 



The catch in Narragansett Bay averages about six thousand pounds to each man 

 for the entire season. Further westward, at Noank, Conn., there is a special late fishery, 

 wliich lasts from the middle of Octobei" to early in December ; about twenty-five men 

 are engaged in it, who take eacli about one thousand p)ounds. 



As an angle fish, also, the tautog is esteemed, but it cannot be truly called a game 

 fish. Along shelving coasts it is sought for in " a boat anchored among the reefs or 

 near wrecked vessels;" but, says Mr. Goode, "angling for tautog from rocks is a 

 favorite pursuit of amateur fishermen all along the coast, particularly about New York, 

 where there are precipitous shores, the angler standing upon the rocks." 



