NAMES OP THE TAUTOG. ^ .269 



York it is called "Black-flsh"; inNew Jersey also" Bla«k-flsh" and " Smooth Black-flsh," "Tautog," 

 or "Cliub"5 on the eastern shore of Virginia "Moll," or "Will George"; at the mouth of the 

 Chesapeake " Salt-water Chub," and in North Carolina the " Oyster-fish." Of all these names 

 Tautog is by far the most desirable for general use. There are several other species along our 

 coast called Black-flsh, especially the sea-bass, which is often associated with the Tautog. The 

 names Oyster-fish and Chub are also pre-engaged by other species. 



DiSTEiBTTTiON. — Though the present geographical distribution of the Tautog is well understood, 

 there is reason to believe that its range has been very considerably extended in the present century 

 by the agency of man. That this species was known in Ehode Islands two hundred and thirty 

 years ago is reasonably certain from the reference by Eoger Williams, already referred to, and 

 in 1776 it was stated by Schoepf that it was very abundant in summer at New York. It is in 

 greatest abundance between the southern angle of Cape Cod and the Capes of Delaware, which 

 would indicate that within these limits, at least, the species has always existed. The waters of 

 Long Island Sound and those immediately adjoining seem especially well adapted for its residence. 



Mitchill, writing in 1814, remarked: "The Tautog was not originally known in Massachusetts 

 Bay ; but within a few years he has been carried beyond Cape Cod, and has multiplied so abun- 

 dantly that the Boston market has now a full supply without- the necessity of importing from 

 Newport and Providence." This statement is confirmed in a way by Mr. Isaac Hinckley, of Phila- 

 delphia, who tells me that in 1824 he saw several individuals from Cohasset Eocks, Jerusalem Eoad, 

 Massachusetts, and that the fish was at that time said by the fishermen to be entirely new to them. 

 Storer, writing about 1867, remarked: "Although a few years only have passed since this species 

 was brought into Massachusetts Bay, it is now taken along a large portion of the coast. At 

 Plymouth, Nahant, and Lynn, at some seasons, it is found in considerable numbers, and is fre- 

 quently, caught from the bridges leading from Boston. The Boston market is for the most part 

 supplied by Plymouth and Wellfleet." As early as 1851 they had spread northward to the Bay of 

 Pundy, -and in that year it is stated that many were sold in the fish market at Saint John, the 

 largest of which weighed eight pounds : Mr. Lanman wrote that he obtained there in July and 

 August specimens nineteen inches long and weighing four pounds. 



The rocky shores of Cape Ann seem particularly well adapted to its peculiar habits, and large 

 numbers are annually obtained from the rocks. So long has it been acclimated and so well 

 known is it, that the local authorities of that region are inclined to doubt that it is not native. 

 The "Gloucester Telegraph" of May 5, 1860, challenged the statement that the Tautog was a new 

 • fish, declaring that many years ago they were very plenty, and that after a period of scarcity they 

 reappeared. So abundant had they become in 1836 in the harbor of Wellfleet, Massachusetts, that 

 three Connecticut smacks were accustomed summer after summer to devote their entire energies to 

 their capture in this locality, and this fishery has continued up to the present day. In sandy 

 localities, like the harbor of Provincetown, they have never secured a firm hold, though large 

 specimens are sometimes taken under the wharves. 



As to the extension of the range of this species southward we have the statement of Holbrook, 

 quoted by DeKay, writing in 1842 : " Attempts have been made to introduce this fish farther 

 south, but with limited success. I am informed by my friend, Dr. Holbrook, that General Thomas 

 Pinckney imported from Ehode Island a smack load of the Tautog and set them adrift in the 

 harbor of Charleston, South Carolina, where they are to be found to this day. They are still 

 occasionally caught, weighing from one to two pounds, but never in such quantities as to be 

 brought to market." Mr. Earll obtained specimens at Charleston in January, 1880. Certain ich- 



