258 LABROIDES. 



it, till the returning warmth of spring. When the 

 dog-wood blossoms, (cornus florida,) in April, it 

 is a sign that the tautog has a returning appetite ; 

 at least, this is the vulgar opinion. The New 

 York fishermen, says the late Dr Mitchell, are 

 governed in this respect by the chesnut leaves, 

 when there are no dog-wood bushes in their 

 neighborhoods. 



" When chesnut leaves are as big as a thumb nail, 

 Then bite the black-fish without fail ; 

 But when the leaves are as long as a span, 

 Then catch black-fish if you can." 



A thunder shower, accompanied with lightning, 

 is said invariably to disperse them from their ac- 

 customed places of resort, and a northeast wind is 

 a sure indication of poor success in the sport of 

 fishing for them. 



In the New York market, we are informed that 

 several varieties are exhibited, viz : 



The labrus tautoga fusca, having bands and 

 zones of a brown color ; labrus tautoga rubens, 

 with reddish hues, giving the fish a changeable 

 color ; and lastly, the labrus tautoga alia, mot- 

 tled and clouded. 



We are fully of the opinion, from our own ex- 

 amination in the market at New York, where all 

 these varieties are sold, that the difference of com- 

 plexion is altogether an accidental affair, depend- 



