270 



THE FIERASFERS. 



OF several other species of this genus we may mention the DORSE (MorrTiua calla/i ias), 

 the HADDOCK (MorrTiua (Bglefinus), a well-known and very valuable fish, which is represented 

 in the previous illustration, and the WHITING, POUT, SMELTIE, or KLEG (Morrhua lusca), so 

 often manufactured into whitings by the simple process of slicing off certain parts of the fish, 

 skinning it, and pushing its tail through the head. In this state it is sold and consumed as 

 whiting ; and as one fish is just as good as the other, the consumer suffers no injury, and the 

 enterprising vendor is recompensed for his trouble. The Pout is graphically termed by the 

 fishermen the Stinkalive, because it becomes putrid so soon after death. While living, various 

 iridescent colors play over the surface of the fish, but as soon as it is dead the colors and the 

 dark bands disappear, and the whole upper surface becomes of a dull yellow-brown, the 

 abdomen being whitish with a tinge of blue-gray. 



THE common WHITING (Merlangus vulgaris), which is also figured in the previous illus- 

 tration, is closely allied to the fishes of the preceding genus, and is too well known to need 

 description. The COAL-FISH (Merlangus carbonarius), and the POLLACK (Merlangus pol- 

 lachius), belong to the same genus as the whiting ; and the HAKE (Merlucius tmlgaris) is 

 closely allied to them. 



THE EELS. 



IN the large and important group of fishes to which our attention is now drawn, 

 the ventral fins are wholly wanting, the body is long, snake-like, smooth, and slimy 



SAND EEL, OK HORNELS. Ammodytes toManus. 



on the exterior, and in many cases covered with very little scales hidden in the thick, 

 soft skin. 



OUR first example is the SAND LAUNCE, a very common fish on many coasts, and usually 

 found wherever the shore is of a sandy character. The generic name Ammodytes signifies 

 sand-diver, and is given to this fish in consequence of its habit of burying itself in the wet 

 sand, where it remains hidden and secure from marine foes. 



-THE FIERASFERS are small fishes of tropical waters, parasitic or commensal in echino- 

 derms and mollusks ; allied near the eel-pouts and sand eels. 



