30 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
this is the extraordinary abundance of the fry during the past few years in Narragansett Bay, particu- 
larly in its upper part, near Red Bridge and India Point. Even here great numbers of them were killed 
in 1900 by Peridinium. For two weeks or more in September this small protozoan infested the waters 
of the upper bay in such numbers that the water was almost a blood-red color, and as a result young 
squeteague, together with fish of several other species, were piled in windrows on the shore. There is 
but one conclusion to be drawn from the foregoing facts — the squeteague has changed its spawning- 
grounds within a few years, and, judging from the abundance of the young, Narragansett Bay is the 
more favorable locality at the present time. 
The study of the yearly records has also shown that a definite relation exists between the 
abundance of squeteague and blue-fish. Twenty years ago 100 squeteague were considered a remarkable 
catch, but now it is not uncommon to take 4,000 at a single draft of a trap. On the other hand, 
twenty years ago blue-fish were so plentiful that barrels of them were shipped daily, while in 1900 not 
over 50 were recorded from the bay or sound. There can be but little doubt that the marvelous increase 
of the squeteague has been made possible by the disappearance of one of its most dangerous enemies — 
the savage blue-fish. 
Tautogolabrus adspersus, Gunner. 
Barrels of cunners were killed by the extreme cold of February, 1901, and were seen floating on 
the surface with the tautog. 
Tautoga onitis, Tautog. 
Fewer tautog were caught in the vicinity of Woods Hole than last year. In fact, many liook- 
and-line fishermen were compelled to seek other employment, but just the reverse obtained in Narra- 
gansett Bay. According to the report of the Rhode Island Fish Commission for 1900, the tautog in 
Narragansett Bay were very abundant and of large size, some weighing 13 pounds. Capt. Isaac L. 
Church, of Tiverton, R. I., who has followed tautog fishing for many years, says that they are as 
abundant now as they ever were. Young tautog were numerous along all shores during the summer, 
but more particularly at Katama Bay, where they actually occurred in shoals. For several days in 
February, 1901, tautog were found floating on the surface, evidently killed by the anchor ice, which 
formed nearly all the month. The outlook for next season’s fishing is less promising than ever. 
Lagocephalus lsevigatus, Smooth Puffer. 
During 1900 several specimens of this occasional visitor were taken in the vicinity of Woods Hole. 
In the fall two adults were caught in a trap at Cedar Tree Neck. The Rhode Island Fish Commission 
reports three specimens from Narragansett Bay; the largest, taken October 4 at Tiverton, R. I., weighed 
10 pounds; the other two were caught the week before at the mouth of the bay. The smooth puffers 
are common in the South, but very rare north of Cape Hatteras. Their average length is 2 feet. The 
young from 2.5 to 4 inches long were found by the U. S. Fish Commission in the waters of Porto Rico. 
Pollachius virens, Pollock. 
During the spring of 1900 the young appeared as usual with the small cod. Years ago the adults 
were plenty in the sound, but now only a few stragglers are seen. 
Microgadus tomcod, Tomcod. 
The tomcod during the winter of 1900-1901 were entirely free from parasites (Lernxonema radiata) . 
Some seasons nearly all the fish are infected. 
Gadus callarias, Cod. 
The number of cod taken in Vineyard Sound during the fall of 1900 was unprecedented. Off 
Bowbell Ledge the fishermen gave up fishing for tautog and made cod fishing their business. The cod 
were all plump and in good condition, weighing from 4 to 20 pounds. In Great Harbor, where the 
cod seldom enter, they were so plenty that 10 specimens were taken in the fyke nets in October, 15 
were taken in November, and 45 in December. With one exception these were good marketable fish, 
weighing from 4 to 16 pounds, and were quite different from the thin, flabby specimens occasionally 
taken here. Five were spawners. 
That the cod have not decreased off Nantucket is evidenced by the remarkable catch made by the 
Grampus in this locality during November and December, 1900. More than 3,000 brood cod were 
brought back to the station for the hatching season. The cod were equally abundant around No Man’s 
