64 HADDOCK. 



which have caused great destruction among the multitudes of 

 these fish, so that huge numbers have been found dead and 

 floating on the surface of the water. An instance of this sort 

 is recorded in the parliamentary inquiry into the state of the 

 Salmon fisheries in the year 1825; from which it appears that 

 about thirty years before that date so great was the havoc 

 among these fishes, that ships had sailed through many leagues 

 of the North Sea where the surfiice was covered with dead 

 Haddocks, and after this for several years it was a rare fish in 

 these districts. It was seen also that even when again they had 

 become plentiful it was long before these fishes had reached to 

 their former size. 



It is not often that the Haddock attains the length of two 

 feet, or exceeds the weight of eight or ten pounds, but Mr. 

 Thompson mentions instances of examples taken in Ireland 

 which were of eighteen, twenty, and twenty-five pounds; and 

 when this gentleman adds that these fishes in Ireland are 

 often valued more highly than the Cod, and obtain a price 

 which we should deem enormous, we are driven to the con- 

 clusion that these Irish Haddocks are more richly fed, and in 

 finer condition than in most parts of England. The higher 

 price cannot proceed from a scarcity of the fish, for it is said 

 that in Dublin Bay and along the neighbouring coast they are 

 in great plenty. 



The head is compressed, level on the top, with a ridge, 

 which is directed backward. Snout projecting, nostrils half 

 way to the eye, which is large, elevated, and behind the corner 

 of the mouth; the jaws are nearly equal, but the upper jaw 

 is within the projecting snout; teeth in both, and in the palate: 

 a barb at the lower jaw. The body compressed, rising from 

 the head to the first dorsal fin, more slender towards the tail. 

 Vent about midway between the snout and root of the tail. 

 Lateral line nearly straight, conspicuous from its dark colour: 

 scales on the body slightly visible. Dorsal fins three, the first 

 elevated, triangular, ending in a point; second and third less 

 elevated, extending to near the tail. Anal fins two, the hrst 

 forming the segment of a circle. Pectorals slightly pointed; 

 ventrals with the first ray lengthened; tail more or less concave. 

 The colour of the back and fins dusky purplish brown, paler on 

 the sides, dull yellow or white below; a large dark spot on the 



