Opisthomi and Anacanthini 537 



The haddock (Melanogrammus (Bglifinus) closely resembles 

 the cod and is of similar quality as food. It is known at sight 

 by the black lateral line. It is found on both shores of the 

 Atlantic and when smoked is the "finnan haddie " of commerce. 



The pollack, coalfish, or green cod (Pollachius carbonarius) 

 is also common on both shores of the north Atlantic. It is darker 

 than the cod and more lustrous, and the lower jaw is longer, 

 with a smaller barbel at tip. It is especially excellent when 

 fresh. 



The whiting (Merlangus merlangus) is a pollack-like fish com- 

 mon on the British coasts, but not reaching the American shores. 



FIG. 488. Pollock, Theragra chalcogramma (Pallas). Shumagin I., Alaska. 



It is found in large schools in sandy bays. The Alaska pollack 

 (Theragra chalcogramma) is a large fish with projecting lower jaw, 

 widely diffused in the north Pacific and useful as a food-fish to 

 the Aleutian peoples. It furnishes a large part of the food of 

 the fur-seal (Callorhinus alascanus and C. ur sinus) during its 

 migrations. The fur-seal rarely catches the true codfish, which 

 swims near the bottom. The wall-eyed pollack (Theragra 

 fucensis) is found about Puget Sound. Smaller codfishes of 

 this type are the wachna cod (Eleginus navaga) of Siberia and 

 the Arctic codling (Boreogadus saida), both common about Kam- 

 chatka, the latter crossing to Greenland. 



Several dwarf codfishes having, like the true cod, three dor- 

 sal fins and a barbel at the chin are also recorded. Among 

 these are the tomcod, or frostfish, of the Atlantic (Microgadus 

 tomcod), the California tomcod (Microgadus proximus), and 

 Micromesistius poutassou of the Mediterranean. These little 

 cods are valued as pan fishes, but the flesh is soft and without 

 much flavor. 



