278 HISTOEY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



quarters. The Boston market is for tlie most part supplied by Plymouth and 

 lYelMeet At the former place they are taken at Monument Point. I am told 

 that two or three families reside at Billingsgate Point, Wellfleet, who pursue no other 

 avocation than that of taking Tautog, and are thus enabled to support themselves. 

 Many of the fish are carried to New York from Wellfleet. 



The Tautog fishery continues from April to November, and the fish is taken by the 

 hook alone. Besides the large number of Tautog sold in the recent state, they are also 

 pickled, and may be kept in a weak brine for a long time. In this state they are 

 considered by epicures a great delicacy. "When fresh, this species sells in the market 

 for from eight to twelve cents per pound. Its ordinary size is from one to two pounds, 

 although they often exceed that weight. Mr. Henry Blood, of New Bedford, informed 

 me that a specimen of this fish was taken in Rochester harbor which weighed fourteen 

 pounds and three ounces. The largest individual of which I have any accu- 

 rate knowledge weighed sixteen pounds. Dekay states that he had ^' heard of one 

 which weighed twenty pounds, but the largest he had seen did not exceed twelve 

 pounds." 



Maine, Massachusetts, Stouek. Connecticut^ Ayres. New York, Mitchill, 

 CuviEE, Dekay. South Carolina, Dekay* 



OEDEE II. MALACOPTEEYGII. SOFT-EAYED. 



All the fin rays soft and cartilaginous, with the exception sometimes of the first in 

 the dorsal and the first in the pectoral fins. These rays are of an articulated structure, 

 and generally more or less branched at their extremities. 



ABDOMINALES. 



The ventials behind the pectorals, and not attached to the humeral bone. 



FAMILY XI SILUEIDiE. 



Skin naked, and covered with a mucous secretion. In some genera the body is 

 nearly covered by osseous plates. Head depressed, and generally enlarged, with 

 several fleshy filaments. A second adipose dorsal often present. The intermaxillaries. 



