244 



PISCES. 



posed in several rows, and resembling a card or raspj the branch!^ 

 are large and have seven rays. Most of the genus have two or three 

 fins on the back, one or two behind the anus, and a distinct caudal. 

 The stomach forms a strong and large sac, the CKca are numerous, 

 and the intestine is long. The natatory bladder is large, strong, 

 and frequently dentated on the sides. 



The greater number of these fishes inhabit cold or temperate seas, 

 and constitute the object of important fisheries. Their white flesh, 

 easily separated in layers, is generally esteemed as light, wholesome 

 and sapid. They may be subdivided as follows: 



MORRHUA, Cuv. 



Three dorsal fins and two analsj a cirrus at the point of the lower 

 jaw. 



Gadus morrhua, L. Bl. 64.(1) (The Cod.) From two to three 

 feet long; back spotted with yellowish and brownj it inhabits 

 the whole Northern Ocean, and multiplies so excessively in north 

 latitudes, that whole fleets are annually despatched to capture 

 it. The fresh Cod is termed in France Cabeliau, from its Dutch 

 name. 



Gadus cegkfinus, L.; Bl. 62. (The Haddock.) The back 

 brown, belly silvery, and lateral line black; a blackish spot be- 

 hind the pectoral; quite as numerous in northern latitudes as 

 the cod, but not so much esteemed. (2) 



Gadus callarias, h.; Bl. 63;(3) the Faux Merlan of the Paris 

 market. (The Dorse.) Spotted like the Cod, but generally 

 much smaller, and the upper jaw longer than the other. The 

 best of the genus when eaten fresh, and in great request on the 

 coast of the Baltic.(4) 



(1) Belon is of opinion that morrhue is derived from merwtl, a name which he 

 says is English; it is not to be found, however, among the modern authors of that 

 nation they call it Cod or Cod-fish. 



(2) Egrejin, or ratlier Eagkfin, according to Belon and Rondelet, was its an- 

 cient English name. It is the Schelfisch of Anderson, the Germans, Dutch, 

 Danes, &c. 



(3) Dorsch, the name of this fish on the coast of the Baltic. Callarias, Gala- 

 rias, &c. were undetermined aucient names which were certainly not apphcable 

 to a fish foreign to the Mediterranean. 



(4) Add; tlie Tomcod (G. iomcodus, Mitch.); the Tacaud, Gode, Mollet[G. hatha- 

 tusy Bl. 166); the Capelan [G. minutus, Bl. 67, 1); the Wachnia, [G. macroce- 

 phalus. Tiles.) Act. of Petersb., li, pi. xvi; Gadus gracilis, Id. lb. pi. xviii; the 

 Saida [Gad. saida, Lepechin) Nov. Com., Petrop., XVIII, p. v, f. 1, copied En- 

 cyclop., f 360; the Bib [Gad. luscus, Penn.), cop. Ency. 102; Gad. blennotdes, 

 Penn., copied Encyclop., 363. 



