222 
THE CHOGSETT OR CUNNER. 
with a pattern as geometrically regular as if drawn by the aid of rule and compass. This fish 
is found on the coasts of Ceylon. Its color is bright green on the back, gradually changing to 
golden-yellow towards the abdomen. The checkered marks on the body are purple and gray, 
and the stripes and spots on the head are rich, glowing orange. In allusion to the wicker-like 
markings and the brilliant colors of the fish, the natives call it by the name of Hembili 
Grirawah ; the former word signifying the little basket in which betel is carried, arid the latter 
a parrot. 
Though edible, this fish is not regularly captured for the markets. It generally frequents 
the rocky portions of the coast. It never attains any great dimensions, none seeming to meas- 
ure more than fifteen inches in length. 
The curious fish, Sly Epibulus, has derived its popular and scientific titles from the 
crafty manner in which it obtains its food. 
In this fish, the mouth and jaws exhibit a very remarkable modification of structure, 
which enables the creature to protrude its mouth with great rapidity, and to such a degree, 
that when pushed forward to its greatest extent it is even longer than the head. Aided by 
this apparatus, the Sly Epibulus captures its prey as follows : It feeds mostly upon small 
fishes, and instead of alarming them by charging among their ranks, and so giving itself a 
tedious and possibly an unsuccessful chase, it quietly withdraws itself to some sheltered spot, 
and waits, still and motionless as the watchful kingfisher, and no less dangerous to the smaller 
members of the finny tribe. Ho sooner does an unwary fish pass near the cunning enemy, 
deceived by its apparent harmlessness, than the movable mouth is suddenly projected with the 
rapidity of a serpent’s stroke, and the victim is seized and swallowed in a moment. 
The Tile-fish {Lopliolaillus chamceleonticeps , Goode and Bean ) is a newly-discovered 
food-fish, the value of which is thought to be very considerable as an addition to our list 
of food-fishes. It is abundant in deep water off Massachusetts Bay ; it is a fine large fish and 
highly colored, and belongs to family Latilidce. 
From the many species of the genus Labrus, the Ball ax Wrasse has been selected. 
This fish, otherwise known by the popular names of Axciext Wrasse, or Old Wife, is one 
of those species which is mostly found haunting the rocky portions of the shore. 
It is not in any great estimation as an article of food, the flesh being too soft, and not 
possessing any particularly good flavor. It generally frequents the deep rocky gullies, where 
the water is tolerably tranquil, except when the waves are beaten into foam by a storm. Here 
it may be seen swimming about in the clear element, concealing itself among masses of sea- 
weed, and ever and anon darting forth to secure some tempting morsel, such as a passing 
crab or prawn. 
Mr. Couch remarks concerning this species, that “it takes a bait freely, and fishermen 
remark that when they first fish in a place, they take but few, and those of a large size ; but 
on trying the same spot a few days after, they catch a greater number, and those smaller ; 
from whence they conclude that the large fish assume the dominion of a district, and keep the 
younger at a distance.” 
The Wrasse deposits its spawn in spring or towards the beginning of summer, and, as is 
usual with most fishes, assumes its brightest apparel previous to performing that duty. There 
is much uncertainty about the coloring of the Ballan Wrasse, but in general the color is red 
above and on the sides, variegated with oval spots of rich bluish-green ; the fins are green, 
sparely spotted with red, and the abdomen is pale orange. It does not attain to any great 
size, seldom having been known to exceed sixteen or eighteen inches in length, and two 
or three pounds in weight. 
Of the family Labridce , the Cunners are important as food-fishes. The Chogsett or Cux- 
her ( Ctenolabrus adspersa) is, perhaps, the most familiar sea-fish on our New England coast. 
During the summer months it is the principal source of angling sport. It is a singular fact 
