102 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
LABRIDAI. The Wrasse-Fishes. 
148. Tautogolabrus adspersus (Walbaum). “Gunner"; “Chogset.” (* + §) 
Very abundant. Kemains in eelgrass in winter and thousands perish from cold every year. Large 
numbers of cunners of all sizes are found under wharves and around piers in warmer months. Spawn- 
ing takes place in June. By August 1 the young, au inch long, are observed. In the bays and harbors 
the maximum weight is about a pound, but outside of Gayhead and Cuttyhunk they reach a weight 
of 24 pounds. The usual weight is one-quarter to one-half a pound. 
149. Tautoga onitis (Linnaeus). “Tautog”; “Blaekfish.” (*t§) 
Abundant everywhere on rocky bottom, remaining throughout the year. In winter they seek 
deep water or the eelgrass; many are killed each year by anchor ice. Spawns in June and July. 
Young appear about 1st of August. Average weight 3 pounds, but 12-pound fish are common, and 
some weigh 16 pounds. Many are caught on lines by anglers and professional fishermen, and some 
are also taken in traps in April. Lobster is the most attractive bait. Judging from the behavior of 
tautog in aquaria, it must be one of the greatest enerhies of both large and small lobsters ; it readily 
attacks full-grown lobsters, first biting off their eyes by rapid darts, and then consuming them. The 
fish continues to bite at the hook until snow falls, usually about November 15 or 20, 
EPHIPPID^j. The Angel-Fishes. 
150. Chcetodipterus faber (Broussonet). Moon fish ; Angel-fisli; Spadefish. (* t) 
A very rare straggler. First taken in 1889, when one specimen was obtained. Since then only 
three have been observed. All were caught in traps at Menemsha in August and September. The 
fish are all of one size, having a length of 16 to 18 inches. Not known to fishermen. 
CHiETODONTIDiE. The Butterfly-Fishes. 
151. Chsetodon ocellatus Bloch. Parehe. (* f §) 
A few specimens are taken nearly every year in October and November, when seining in eelgrass. 
Three is the largest number caught at one haul of the net, and five the largest number in one season. 
152. Clisetodon bricei, new species. 
Three specimens of an undesoribed species of Chcetodon\ were seined in the vicinity of Woods Hole 
in 1897. One was obtained August 3 in Quisset Harbor, another August 10 in Eel Pond, and the third 
October 7 in Quisset Harbor; all are under 1-J inches in length. These examples were undoubtedly 
stragglers from the West Indies, whence they were transferred in the Gulf Stream. The species is 
readily distinguished by two prominent ocelli situated posteriorly, and is one of the most strikingly 
beautiful members of a large family of peculiarly marked and brilliantly colored fishes of the tropical 
seas. It is named for Hon. John J. Brice, United States Commissioner of Fish and Fisheries. 
Description. — Body short, deep, much compressed, its depth contained If times in length. 
Profile steep, slightly convex. Head rather large, pointed, its length rather less than a third of the 
body length. Mouth small, terminal; snout not produced, five-sixths length of eye. Eye large, its 
length contained 2| times in head. Lateral line beginning at posterior edge of eye, curving 
upward and backward, and terminating under anterior part of soft dorsal fin. Scales large; number 
in median line of body 40; number in transverse series between front of dorsal and base of ventral 
23, 6 being above the lateral line; rows of scales above longitudinal axis of body directed upward 
and backward, those below inclined slightly downward. Caudal peduncle very short, about as 
broad as eye. Dorsal long, elevated, with 13 spines and 20 rays, the longest spine six-sevenths length 
of head; soft dorsal evenly rounded; basal half of both portions of fin thickly covered with small 
scales; dorsal origin opposite posterior edge of opercle. Anal fin deep, long, rounded, containing 3 
spines and 18 rays; the proximal two-thirds of soft portion densely squamated, the small scales also 
covering the bases of the second and third spines. Caudal short, rounded. Pectorals two-thirds 
length of head, rounded. Ventrals as long as pectorals, pointed. 
Colors in life: General body color, pearly gray. A glistening jet black band about two-fifths 
width of eye, and having a forward curve, begins a short distance in front of dorsal and extends 
downward through eye and thence downward and backward to lower margin of gill opening ; this 
does not extend on the breast, and hence does not meet its fellow of the opposite side; above eye this 
stripe is bordered on each side by a very narrow pale streak. A dull blackish band, 14 times as wide 
as eye, runs vertically across body from base of dorsal to median line of abdomen ; the anterior border 
