222 GADID^E. 



fins placed very near the pectorals ; the bones supporting the 

 former being attached to the bones of the shoulder support- 

 ing the latter : and this disposition of the ventral fins has 

 been conveniently referred to by the single term subbra- 

 chial. 



This division includes some of the species most valuable 

 to man as articles of food and commerce : among which may 

 be particularly noticed some of those belonging to the first 

 family, which includes the Common Cod, Haddock, Whit- 

 ing, and many others to be hereafter referred to, all more 

 or less remarkable for the excellence of their flesh, which 

 is white, firm, separates readily into flakes, is agreeable to the 

 taste, wholesome, and cheap. 



The old genus Gadus of Linnseus included fishes with one, 

 two, or three dorsal fins, one or two anal fins, with or without 

 barbules or cirri about the mouth, and of very different forms 

 of body. These have been separated by Cuvier, whose first 

 genus includes only those with three dorsal fins, two anal 

 fins, and one barbule at the chin, as the generic characters 

 determine. 



The Common Cod is not only one of those species most 

 universally known, but is also one of the greatest intrinsic 

 value, whether we consider the quality of the fish itself, the 

 enormous numbers in which it is taken, or the extensive 

 rano-e over which it exists. In the seas with which Eu- 



O 



ropeans are best acquainted, this fish is found universally 

 from Iceland very nearly as far south as Gibraltar ; but it 

 does not exist in the Mediterranean : it is also found and 

 taken in abundance as far west as the shores of Newfound- 

 land. 



In this country it appears to be taken all round the coast : 

 among the islands to the north and west of Scotland it is 

 abundant : most extensive fisheries are carried on : and it 

 may be traced as occurring also on the shore of almost every 



