MARINE VERTEBRATES 327 



waves, but immediately disappear into the sand ; and large numbers 

 commonly remain behind as the tide recedes, burying themselves to 

 the depth of a few inches, and are dug out by fishermen for bait. 



The smaller species is by far the more common, and is taken 

 in large numbers by means of the draw net to be sold as food. It 

 is particularly abundant at Teignmouth, where it is known as the 

 Sand Sprat, and forms an important article of diet. 



Quite a number of our important food-fishes belong to the Cod 

 family (Gadiadce), and although some of these are caught almost 

 entirely in deep water some distance from shore, others give 

 employment to the angler fishing from rocks, piers, and jetties. 



In all, the gill-openings are very wide, and the body is covered 

 with small overlapping scales. The caudal fin is quite free, the 

 dorsal is generally divided into three distinct parts which extend 

 over the greater part of the back, and the ventral fin is also 

 frequently divided. 



FIG. 234. THE THREE-BEARDED KOCKLINO 



The typical species the Cod (Gadus morrhua) is too well 

 known to need a description, and although it is a large fish, often 

 measuring four feet and more, it approaches so close to the shore 

 that it may be caught with a hand line thrown out from rocks 

 or piers. The barbel projecting from the chin denotes that it is 

 a bottom feeder. 



On the rocky coast of the south the Pollack or Pollock (G. polla- 

 chius) is very abundant, and may be taken with rod and line from 

 the shore. It also enters estuaries in large numbers, and may be 

 caught close to quays and jetties. This species is a very free biter, 

 and will take almost any of the baits used for sea fishing. It has 

 no barbel. 



The same genus includes the Whiting (G. merlangus), dis- 

 tinguished by a black spot at the base of the pectoral fin and the 

 absence of barbels ; the Whiting Pout (G. luscus), with a similar 

 black spot at the base of the pectorals, also dark, transverse bands, 

 and a barbel ; and the Haddock (G. ceglefinus), with a black patch 



