COUCH'S WHITING. 249 



the posterior third of the pectoral ; the second dorsal fin like 

 the first in form and elevation, both being triangular; be- 

 tween them a space about equal to their separate breadth ; 

 nearly twice this breadth between the second and the third 

 dorsal fins ; the beginning of the third dorsal fin is slightly 

 anterior to that of the second anal fin ; caudal fin shaped as in 

 the Whiting, but less wide ; the pectoral fin ends opposite 

 the middle of the first dorsal fin ; ventral fins small and slen- 

 der, placed rather high on the side, and much like those of 

 the Whiting Pollack (Merlangus Pollachius); the longest 

 fibre measures seven-eighths of an inch ; from the point of the 

 under jaw to the vent, four inches and one quarter ; from the 

 centre of the vent to the commencement of the first anal fin, 

 one quarter of an inch ; first anal fin long, widest in the mid- 

 dle ; the second anal longer than the third dorsal, both end 

 close to the caudal fin : colour brown ; belly white ; a dark 

 spot at the upper margin of the pectoral fin ; along the base 

 of the anal fins a broad white band ; no such band at their 

 margin. The distinctions between this fish and the Whiting 

 are obvious, in the jaws, fins, lateral line, colour, and ver- 

 tebrse. The brilliant white along the base of the anal fins 

 remained unaltered, after the brilliancy of all beside had 

 considerably changed. The muscular substance of the fish 

 was more pulpy than that of the Whiting. It was taken 

 with an ordinary bait, at a few miles from land." 



The figure given at the head of this subject was carefully 

 reduced from the drawing sent me by Mr. Couch ; and I beg 

 here to record my sincere acknowledgement and thanks to 

 him for his obliging communication. 



