512 SUPPLEMENT ON 



much influenced by the seasons. On some of the French 

 coasts, the months of January and February are most favour- 

 able for the pursuit of this fish, while on many of those of 

 England and Holland, the summer months are chosen in pre- 

 ference. The whitings sometimes appear in such numbers 

 that their troops may occupy a space of three miles long, and 

 a mile and a half broad. 



The fishery of the whiting is very lucrative on the northern 

 coasts of Europe, principally around England and Holland, 

 and is performed with either line or net. 



This fishery is the more valuable as the fish can be very 

 well preserved, and sent to considerable distances. Its 

 abundance is so great, on our coasts in particular, that the 

 quantity taken cannot be consumed fresh ; and much of it is 

 therefore salted and dried. The same is the case on the 

 coasts of Ostend, Bruges, and Ghent. It must be confessed, 

 however, that the whitings lose much flavour by those 

 operations. 



The merlangus carbonarius, or coal-fish, is found in the 

 north Atlantic, and, as it would seem, also in the Pacific 

 Ocean. Towards the months of February and March, it ap- 

 proaches the coasts of England to deposit its eggs. In the 

 following summer, the young fishes which come from these 

 eggs, and grow pretty fast, are taken in great abundance. The 

 adult are caught all the year round, but more especially in 

 summer. 



This fish, according to M. Risso, is found in the Mediter- 

 ranean ; but it is very rare, though it may be sometimes seen 

 in the markets of Nice. 



When the cod is abundant on our northern coasts, this fish 

 is in no great request; but when the latter is scarce, the coal- 

 fishes are salted in great quantity, and then are not very 

 easily to be distinguished from the cod. They constitute an 

 important article of exportation. 



