316 AMERICAN FISHES. 



THE TAUTOG, OR BLACK-FISH. 



Of him Dr. Mitchil, not unsagely, nor unpleasantly, discourseth 

 after this fashion. The facts of natural history, as herein recorded, 

 are worthy of all confidence ; nor are the maxims worthless to the 

 angler : 



" The Black-Fish abounds in the vicinity of Long Island, and is a 

 stationary inhabitant of the salt-water. He never visits the rivers, 

 like Salmon or Sturgeon ; nor, on the other hand, deserts his dwelling- 

 place as they do. He is fond of rocks, reefs and rough bottoms. He 

 is taken through the whole course of Long Island Sound, Fisher's 

 Island Sound, and in the neighborhood of Rhode Island. 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 

 abundantly, that the Boston market has now a full supply, without 

 the necessity of importing from Newport and Providence. The Black- 

 Fish, however, does not confine himself to rough bottoms ; for he is 

 also caught in the southern bays of Long Island, and on the banks of 

 the ocean ofi' Sandy Hook. He is considered, by the New Yorkers, 

 as a very fine fish for the table. He grows to the weight of ten or 

 twelVe pounds, and even more ; but it is a fish of a good size, that 

 equals two or three. 



" He may be kept for a long time in ponds or cars ; and fed, and 

 even fatted there. When the cold of winter benumbs him, he refuses 

 to eat any more, and a membrane is observed to form over the vent, 

 and close it. He begins to regain appetite with the return of warmth 

 in the spring. The blossoming of the dogwood, cornus Jlorida, early 

 in April, is understood to denote the time of baiting Black- Fish. As 

 soon as these flowers unfold, the fishermen proceed with their hooks 

 and lines to the favorite places. If there is no dogwood, a judgment 

 is derived from the vegetation of the chestnut tree castanea vesca. The 



