268 



GADIDE. 



Esk, the Skcrn, near Mainsforth, which afterwards runs into 

 the Tees near Croft Bridge, and the Derwent. 



The Burbot is not unlike the Eel in some of its habits, 

 concealing itself under stones, waiting and watching for its 

 prey, consisting of aquatic insects and young fish, under 

 arches and near eddies, into which such small and weak 

 animals are likely to be brought by the current of the water. 

 It feeds principally during the night ; and, like the Eel, is 

 most frequently caught by trimmers and night-lines. 



The Burbot is sometimes called Coney-fish, from its habit 

 of lurking and hiding itself in holes like a rabbit. 



It spawns in February or March ; is very tenacious of 

 life, and is said to have lived a considerable time in a 

 damp and cold situation, fed on small fishes and raw meat. 

 In this country it has been known to attain the weight of 

 four pounds and a half; but a more common size is about 

 two pounds' 1 weight. Pennant mentions one taken in the 

 Trent which weighed eight pounds. In the Lake of Geneva, 

 into which it is stated the Burbot was introduced from 

 Neufchatel, it has been taken of seven pounds 1 weight. 

 The flesh is white, firm, and of good flavour, by some con- 

 sidered superior to that of the Eel ; and as the Burbot is in 

 its nature extremely hardy, few difficulties present them- 

 selves in the way of their increase in quantity, while the 

 value of the fish would amply repay the trouble or the cost 

 of the experiment. It would probably thrive well and mul- 

 tiply in large lakes. 



Length from one to two feet : the head depressed, smooth ; 

 jaws equal ; chin with one barbule ; the gape large, with 

 small teeth above and below ; eyes of moderate size ; gill- 

 opening large : the length of the head compared to that of 

 the body as one to four : the form of the body cylindrical, 

 compressed posteriorly. The first dorsal fin is small and 

 rounded ; the second elongated, reaching nearly to the tail ; 



