100 MITCHILL ON THE FISHES OF NEW-YORK. 



taken through the whole course of Long-Island sound, Fisher's-Island 

 sound, and in the neighbourhood 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. 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 off Sandy- 

 Hook. 



He is considered, by the New-Yorkers, as a very fine fish for the ta- 

 ble. The price is from eight to twelve cents a pound. He grows to 

 the weight of ten or twelve pounds, and even more ; but it is a fish of 

 good size, that equals two and 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 dog-wood, (cornus florida,) early in April, i& 

 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 

 favourite places. If there is no dogwood, a judgment is derived from the 

 vegetation of the chesnut-tree (castanea vesca.) The season of biting is 

 reckoned very favourable until the increasing warmth of the season 

 brings food enough to fill their stomachs, and they thereupon afford less 

 pastime to the sportsmen, and less profit to the professed fishermen. 

 The people express this sentiment in these coarse rhymes : 



When chesnut leaves are as big as thumb-nail, 

 Then bite black fish without fail ; 

 But when chesnut leaves are as long as a span, 

 Then catch black-fish, if you can. 



