COMMON COD. ''.',; 7 



at the mouth of the Thames and Medway throughout the 

 summer : as autumn advances, they gain size and strength, 

 and are caught from twelve to sixteen inches in length by 

 lines near the various sandbanks in the Channel. When of 

 Whiting size, they are called Codlings and Skinners ; and, 

 when larger, Tumbling or Tamlin Cod. 



On the coast of Durham and Northumberland, and at the 

 Isle of Man, the Cod acquire a dark red or reddish brown 

 colour ; and are called Rock Cod, Red Cod, Ware Cod, and 

 Red Ware Cod, when of this particular colour. I saw a 

 considerable quantity in this state in Berwick market, and 

 have had others sent to me by Dr. Johnston. Both the 

 varieties of our Common Cod for there appears to be two 

 well-marked varieties were equally red. This colour is con- 

 sidered to be the consequence of particular food obtained 

 while lying among weedy rocks. At a short distance only 

 from the situations named, the Codfish are of the usual 

 ash-green colour. 



The largest Codfish I have a record of weighed sixty 

 pounds, was caught in the Bristol Channel, and produced 

 five shillings : it was considered cheap there at one penny 

 the pound. Pennant, however, states that a Codfish of 

 seventy-eight pounds' weight was caught at Scarborough, and 

 sold for one shilling. 



There appears to be two well-marked varieties of the 

 Common Cod ; one with a sharp nose, elongated before the 

 eye, and the body of a very dark brown colour, which is 

 usually called the Dogger Bank Cod. This variety prevails 

 also along our southern coast. The other variety has a 

 round blunt nose, short and wide before the eyes, and the 

 body of light yellowish ash-green colour, and is frequently 

 called the Scotch Cod. Both sorts have the lateral line white. 

 I believe the distinction of more southern and northern Cod 



