No. 10. CATFISH, SEA WOLF, ROCK 



SALMON. 



hicii:; lupus, Linna?us. 



Usual extreme length : 6 feet. 



Description: Body somewhat attenuated, invested with a 

 tough skin ; scales rudimentary ; a continuous dorsal tin extend- 

 ing- throughout the greater part of the body ; breast fins large 

 and rounded; ventral fins absent; jaws furnished with long 

 curved teeth, which project prominently on the lower jaw; two 

 rows of grinding teeth on either side, three rows on the roof 

 of the mouth. Coloration bluish grey above, lightening con- 

 siderably on the flanks and lower parts, a row of dark bars 

 passing down the back. 



f he Catfish spawns in winter. Owing to the possession of such 

 itn admirable dentition, this fish is able to crush the shells of 

 such powerfully protected molluscs as the \Yhelk, upon which 

 amongst other shellfish it very largely feeds. 



Range: An essentially Northern fish, occurring from Green- 

 land to the North Sea, and off the American Coast to Cape 

 Hatteras. 



Remarks: The greatest supply of Catfish comes from Iceland, and 

 about 160,000 cwts.' are marketed annually in this country. The market 

 value has shown a material increase within the last few years, the species 

 now forming part of the usual stock-in-trade of the fishmonger. In 

 common with the Angler, and certain other species of equally forbidding 

 appearance, the Catfish is never exposed for sale in an intact condition, 

 but is prepared by skinning and filleting, and generally sold under 

 another name. 



The flesh is of very fair quality, eminently- suitable for boiling or 

 trying in cutlets or fillets. 



The name " Rock-Salmon," by which the Catfish is usually described 

 in the retail trade, is also applied to the Coalfish. 



