538 Opisthomi and Anacanthini 



Other cod-like fishes have but two dorsals and one anal fin. 

 Many of these occur in deep water. Among those living near 

 shore, and therefore having economic value, we may mention a 

 few of the more prominent. The codlings (Urophycis} are repre- 

 sented by numerous species on both shores of the Atlantic. 



FIG. 489. Tomcod, Microgadus tomcod (Walbaum). Wood's Hole, Mass. 



Urophycis blennoides is common in the Mediterranean. Uro- 

 phycis regius, on our South Atlantic coast, is said to exhibit 

 electric powers in life, a statement that needs verification. 

 In the Gulf of Mexico Urophycis floridanus is common. Far- 

 ther north are the more important species Urophycis tennis, 

 called the white hake, and Urophycis chuss, the squirrel-hake. 

 The ling (Molva molva) is found in deep water about the North 

 Sea. 



A related genus, Lota, the burbot, called also ling and, in 

 America, the lawyer, is found in fresh waters. ^This genus con- 

 tains the only fresh-water members of the group of Anacanthini. 



The European burbot, Lota lota, is common in the streams 

 and lakes of northern Europe and Siberia. It is a bottom fish, 

 coarse in flesh and rather tasteless, eaten sometimes when boiled 

 and soaked in vinegar or made into salad. It is dark olive in 

 color, thickly marbled with blackish. 



The American burbot, or lawyer (Lota maculosa), is very 

 much like the European species. It is found from New Eng- 

 land throughout the Great Lakes to the Yukon. It reaches a 

 length of usually two or three feet and is little valued as food 

 in the United States, but rises much in esteem farther north. 

 The liver and roe are said to be delicious. In Siberia its skin 



