TORSK, OR TUSK. 285 



SUBBRACHIAL 



MALACOPTERYGLl. GAD1DJE. 



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THE TORSK, OR TUSK. 



Brosmius vulgaris, CUVIER, Regne An. t. ii. p. 334. 



Erasmus ,, Common Tusk, FLEM. Brit. An. p. 194, sp. 90. 



,, ,, Torsk, JENYNS, Brit. Vert. p. 452. 



Gadus brosme, ,, PENN. Brit. Zool. vol. iii. p. 269, pi. 37. 



,, ,, Scotch Torsk, DON. Brit. Fish. pi. 70. 



,, ,, NILSSON, Prod. p. 47, sp. 14. 



BROSMIUS. Generic Characters. Body elongated ; a single dorsal fin, ex- 

 tending the whole length of the back ; one barbule at the chin ; ventral fins 

 fleshy. 



THE TORSK, OR TUSK, is a northern species, which is 

 only occasionally caught in the Forth, and is then brought 

 to the Edinburgh market. It is found more frequently in 

 the Orkney Islands, and swarms among those of Shetland, 

 where it makes a very considerable article in their fish trade. 

 It is caught with lines and hooks when fishing for Ling and 

 Cod, and is salted and dried in the same manner. When 

 eaten fresh, it is very firm and rather tough ; which makes 

 most people prefer it dry. It is one of the best fishes when 

 cured, swells much in boiling, and parts into very thick 

 flakes. I observed three examples of this fish, each about 



