72 Mr. Couch on the Natural History 



Gadus. 

 § Cirri at the Mouth. 



Haddock. G. JEglefinus. — This fish appears to be continually- 

 changing its quarters. It comes into season at the begin- 

 ning of winter, at which time it is taken in more consider- 

 able numbers than before. 



Cod. G. Morhiia. — It is taken through the year, but is more 

 plentiful in winter than at other times, being then also in 

 season. This fish, with probably others of this genus, pos- 

 sesses filaments between the teeth and lips, that seem de- 

 signed to enable it to discover and select its prey. And how 

 well they are able to fulfill their object, appears from the 

 instance of a Codfish, which was taken on a line near this 

 place (Polperro) a few years since. It was distinguished by 

 the striking peculiarity of wanting both eyes. The sockets 

 contained no eye-ball ; and I am convinced that they never 

 had existed, the common opake skin covering the sockets 

 in a curiously reticulated manner. Yet the fish was large, 

 and in good condition. 



Bib. G. Ltiscus. — It frequents rocky places, and, though com- 

 mon, is rarely taken in great numbers. This fish has a sin- 

 gular faculty of distending the transparent covering of the 

 eyes when taken ; the fins also are often similarly blown up. 



Poor. G.minutuH. — The habits of this fish resemble those of the 

 Bib. It comes into season in the spring, at which time 

 it abounds. The two last named species are equal in deli- 

 cacy as food to any of the genus. 



Ling. G. Molva. — This fish is common at all seasons ; but in 

 January and February it approaches the rocky ground near 

 the land in order to deposit its spawn ; at which time it is 

 taken in great numbers. The Ling is one of the most pro- 

 lific of a prolific o;enus ; I have known a roe weidiino- seven 



pounds 



