GADID.E. 



called, it is said, on account of its diminutive size, seldom 

 exceeding six or seven inches in length, and therefore com- 

 paratively of little value, was first described as an English 

 fish by Dr. Jago, of Cornwall, and Avas introduced by Ray 

 at the end of his Synopsis, with a figure which particularly 

 exhibits the specific distinctions afforded by the form and 

 situation of the fins, which has been already adverted to, and 

 by which it may be immediately recognised. 



Bloch says that the appearance of this fish in the Baltic is 

 a source of pleasure to the fishermen. It is called the fish- 

 conductor ; and excites great hopes of a rich harvest among 

 the larger species of the genus, the Cod, and others, which 

 follow in the rear, preying relentlessly on their more diminu- 

 tive generic companions : the fishermen in their turn prey 

 upon them. 



Mr. Couch says it frequents the edges of rocks, is caught 

 by the hook, and, though always good for the table, is, on 

 account of its small size, chiefly used for bait. Montagu 

 says it is taken frequently on the Devonshire coast with the 

 hook, and also in the crab-pots. In the nets worked on that 

 coast it is caught along with the Bib, the fishermen selling 

 both as Whiting Pout. 



It is included by Mr. Thompson in his catalogue of the 

 Fishes of Ireland, as occurring occasionally on various parts 

 of the coast, both in the north and south. 



Dr. Storer, in his Report, already referred to, and which 

 will be frequently quoted in reference to American fishes, 

 says that this species has been taken once in the harbour of 

 Boston, but has not been previously noticed as belonging to 

 the American shores. 



The length of the head compared to the whole length of 

 the fish is as one to five ; the depth of the body rather more 

 than the length of the head : the first dorsal fin begins be- 

 hind the line of the origin of the pectorals : the longest ray 



