DECREASE IN ABUNDANCE OF COD. 223 



Massachusetts, a nincli more weighty reason than that of merely enabling a lew salmon to enter 

 the streams in order to permit their capture while on their way. 



"Whatever may be the importance of increasing the supply of salmon, it is trifling compared 

 with the restoration of our exhausted cod fisheries; and should these be brought back to their 

 original condition, we shall find, within a short time, an increase of wealth on our shores, the 

 amount of which it would be difficult to calculate. Not only would the general prosperity of the 

 adjacent States be enhanced, but in the increased number of vessels built, in the larger number 

 of men induced to denote themselves to maritime pursuits, and in the general stimulus to every- 

 thing connected with the business of the seafaring profession, we should be recovering, in a great 

 measure, from that loss which has been the source of so much lamentation to political economists 

 and well-wishers of the country." 



66. THE TOM CODS. MICROGADUS TOMCOD AND M. PROXIMUS. 



THE ATLANTIC TOM COD. The Atlantic- Tom Cod, Mierogadus tomcod, is found only in the 

 Western Atlantic, ranging from New York at the south to Cape Sable at the north. It is 

 ordinarily known as the Tom Cod, but in the Bay of Fuudy, and in various places south of 

 Cape Cod, it is known as the Frost Fish, owing to the fact that it becomes most abundant in 

 the early part of the winter, when it approaches the shore and even ascends the rivers and creeks 

 for the purpose of spawning. Dr. DeKay states, on the authority of Dr. Yates, that Tom Cods 

 sometimes appear at Albany in abundance, while I am informed by the Rev. Dr. F. Gardiner 

 that they are taken in winter in the Kennebec, sixty miles from its month, and far above the reach 

 of the tide. They ascend the Charles River to Watertown, where they are taken in dip-nets and 

 by the hook from the wharves and bridges. Although most abundant near the shores and in the 

 streams in early winter, they are found along the coast at all seasons of the year. In form the 

 Tom Cod is the miniature of the Codfish, rarely exceeding ten or twelve inches in length, and 

 there is much difficulty in distinguishing the young of the two species. The Tom Cod, however, 

 varies even more in its color than the Cod, and several varieties have been described under 

 different names. When these fish approach the shores in winter they are taken in great quantities 

 with nets, and are esteemed in many localities as a great delicacy. 



The Tom Cod feeds upon numerous species of crustaceans and mollusks, and also upon the 

 young of many other kinds of fishes. 



THE PACIFIC TOM COD. Professor Jordan gives the following notes upon the closely related 

 species, Microgadus proximus, found in California, and there known as the Tom Cod: 



"The English at Victoria know this species by the name 'Whiting.' Elsewhere on the coast 

 the name of 'Tom Cod' is universally applied to it. In the restaurants at San Francisco, it is 

 usually served under the name of Smelt. It reaches the length of a foot and a weight of about 

 half a pound. It ranges from Monterey to Puget Sound and northward, being everywhere very 

 abundant, and taken in great numbers in seines and sweep-nets, both outside and in the bays. Its 

 food is small fishes. Nothing special is known of its breeding habits; il is apparently abundant 

 at all seasons. It is one of the important food lishes of the coast, always abundant and always 

 'meeting a ready sale. Its flesh is, however, watery and tasteless, and cannot lie rated high." 



67. THE HADDOCK. MELANOGRAMMUS ^GLEFINUS. 



DISTRIBUTION. The Haddock, Mclinnxii-nmnniK iri/li'/imtx, is found only in the Atlantic. Its 

 wanderings are more limited than those ol' the Cod. It is not found nearly as far to the north; 

 while its southern range is no wider. Haddock are probably found in company with Codfish on all 



