402 MITCHILL ON THE FISHES OF NEW-YORK. 



The exploits performed in fishing for tautog are recounted occasion- 

 ally with remarkable glee, and they afford a never-failing theme of 

 entertainment to those who are engaged in this sort of adventure. 

 Though the hand-line is generally used, the rod is sometimes employed 

 to great advantage. The black-fish is remarkable for retaining life a 

 long time after he is taken out of water. He sometimes swims over 

 even ground, and is caught in seines. 



There are several varieties, all of which may be occasionally viewed 

 at once on the fishmongers' stalls. 



(a) L. T.fusca. With bands and zones of a brown colour, and the 

 whole complexion brown. 



(b) L. T. rubens. With clouds and shades of reddish hue, giving 

 tints to the whole fish. 



(c) L. T. alia. With yet other mottles, clouds, and marks. 



3. Bergall of New-York. (Labrus chogset.) Chogset of the Mo- 

 hegans. Blue-fish. 



This fish seldom grows more than seven or eight inches long ; nor 

 equals as many ounces in weight. Is found in all the waters frequented 

 by black-fish. Lives on the same food, and is very troublesome to 

 fishermen by nibbling away their bait. This pesters them the more, 

 because the hooks for black-fish are too large for the mouths of the 

 bergalls. The resemblance of the chogset to tautog is so striking, 

 that he might be called a black-fish in miniature. It is a large bergall 

 that weighs ten ounces ; yet I have seen them heavier than sixteen. 



Mouth rather small. Lips distinct, and covering the teeth. When 

 turned back, a grinning appearance is produced. Jaws furnished with 

 a row of sharp, short, and separate teeth ; and smaller ones appearing 

 in the gums behind them. There are about sixteen teeth in the upper 

 jaw, and twenty-eight in the lower ; beside the irregular and scat- 



