278 NEW- YORK FAUNA. 



THE TOM-COD. 



MoRRHUA PRDINOSA. 



PLATE XL1V. FIG. 142. — (STATE COLLECTION.) 



Gadus , Tom-rod at New-York. Schcepff, Beobachtungen u. s. w. Vol.8, p. 140. 



Frost Cod, and Frost-fish. Pennant, Arct. Zoology, Supplement, p. 114. 

 Gadus pruinosus, Tom-cod or Frost-fish. Mitchill, Report in part, &c. p. 4. 

 Tom-cod, Gadus tomcodus. Id. Trans. Lit. and Phil. Soc. New-York, Vol. 1, p. 3G8. 

 Gadus tomcodus, Tom-cod. Storer, Fishes of Massachusetts, p. 126. 



Characteristics. Head small, and flattened above. Abdomen prominent. Tail long and 

 slender. Cheeks lustrous. Second ventral ray filamentous. Length 

 4 to 12 inches. 



Description. Shape oblong fusiform ; abdomen prominent. Scales small, orbicular, with 

 concentric striae. Lateral line tubular, slightly curved until it reaches beneath the centre of 

 the middle dorsal, when it goes off straight. Head depressed, flattened above ; the facial line 

 sloping. Snout rounded, obtuse, prominent. A small barbel at the symphisis of the lower 

 jaw. Eyes small, - 7 apart. Nostrils double ; the anterior largest. Opercle pointed. Tongue 

 white, distinct and smooth. Minute sharp teeth in the jaws and vomer, and in rounded 

 patches on the pharyngeals. Stomach angular, with numerous caeca ; filled with remains of 

 small decapodal Crustacea. The air-bladder large, cylindrical, extending from the posterior 

 extremity of the first anal fin to the gills, where they have two vermicular appendages ; inter- 

 nally silvery, but deep black above. 



The first dorsal fin begins over the middle of the pectorals, triangular ; the second slightly 

 longer than the third ; the first and third higher than the second dorsal. Pectorals rounded, 

 subacute. Ventrals with the second ray filamentous, and 1 " 3 long ; both the first and second 

 with free tips. The first anal longest, and distinctly separated from the second, which is 

 opposite the last dorsal. The caudal rounded. 



Color. Dark olivaceous green above, with darker irregular streaks and blotches, giving a 

 mottled appearance. Irides yellowish. Beneath silvery white ; and in old females, this part 

 becomes golden yellow. Scales minutely punctate with brown ; immaculate beneath. Dor- 

 sals and caudal dark brown, tinged with reddish. Pectorals reddish brown. Ventrals buff- 

 orange. Anals light brown, tinged with red or yellow. The colors in scarcely two indivi- 

 duals are alike. Dr. Mitchill has noticed five varieties, but the number might be still farther 

 increased. 



Length, 6'0. 



Fin rays, D. 12.20.18; P. 17; V. 6 ; A. 20.18; C. 37. 



The Tom-cod is found on our coast during the whole year ; but in the autumn after the 

 first frost, (hence its name of Frost-fish,) and the early part of winter, it becomes very abun- 

 dant. They are a savory fish, and are caught in large quantities with the greatest ease. I 



