88 GREEN POLLACK. 



length (Avliich is the usual size of what is termed the Green 

 Pollack) to about a foot, at which size the undoubted marks 

 of the Coalfish shew themselves. If we could suppose these 

 fishes to be of different species, the distinctions between them 

 would be, that in the Green Pollack the jaws appear equal, 

 and the lateral line without the white appearance; but wlien 

 the other characters of the Coalfish are seen the jaws still 

 remain with little diflference of length, and the small amount 

 of final increase is almost imperceptibly given. The green 

 colour of the back, and yellow hue on the sides give place to 

 a darker tint when the fish has reached the length of about 

 ten inches, and it becomes still blacker with the increase of age. 



The name of Sey Pollack, by which this fish or the Coalfish 

 is known in most northern districts of the British Island, 

 appears to be of Scandinavian origin, and, with a distinctive 

 adjunct, is applied by INilsson to several species. It is to be 

 observed further, that something more than doubt is felt by 

 eminent naturalists, whether the Coalfish is to be found in 

 regions so close to the polar ocean as has been supposed. On 

 the contrary, as already intimated, it has been suggested that 

 this more northern fish is a distinct species. 



Deformity in fish is not of rare occurrence, but in one 

 instance a Coalfish of large size was met with that seems to 

 require particular notice. The upper jaw was shortened in 

 such a manner as to give the head a peculiar appearance. 

 The body was depressed out of the regularly straight shape. 

 But the most remarkable deviations from what is usual was in 

 the fins, of which the first dorsal was more narrow, lofty, and 

 sharper, having its origin nearer to the head; between it and 

 the second dorsal was a vacant space, and a much larger space 

 between the second dorsal and the third, both of them 

 unnatural. Three anal fins; the first an irregular triangle, 

 second very narrow, and a considerable space in a curve 

 between it and the third, which also was unnatural. The vent 

 was much behind its usual situation. This fish appeared to be 

 thin and ill fed. 



