Economkal Uaes of the Cod at NewfoimdlancL 33 



along the southern shores of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, there 

 is caught in the British North American Seas, upwards oi four 

 hundred millions of cod annually. 



There appear to be four varieties or kinds of the cod in these 

 seas ; but their history has not been sufficiently attended to, to 

 determine their relations to each other as species or variety. 

 The first is the hank-cod, found on the great bank, many miles 

 from land ; the second is the shore-cod, caught in the bays 

 around the shores, and in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence ; the 

 third is the red-cod (Gadus callarias), resembling the rock-cod 

 or red- ware codling of Scotland, caught near the shores ; the 

 fourth and most remarkable, is what may be called the SeaU 

 headed-cod, from its head resembling that of a seal or dog. The 

 haddock (Gadus Mglejinus), of a large size, is also met with 

 among the proper cod. All the kinds approach towards one size^ 

 and are caught and dried promiscuously by the fishermen. The 

 bank-cod differs from the other varieties in his place of resort, 

 which is almost always on the banks, at a distance from land ; he 

 is also larger and stronger, with larger scales and spots ; his body 

 is of a lighter colour throughout, with the spots more generally 

 diffused, and more distinctly marked ; his flesh, too, is firmer. 

 The shore-cod resembles most the cod in a healthy state on the 

 coasts of Britain, and is that of which the greatest quantity is 

 caught, owing to its being most conveniently taken : the back 

 is of a dusky brown colour; the belly, silvery or yellowish, and 

 the spots in general not remarkably distinct. The red cod is, 

 probably, larger than our rock-cod, and is not numerous. The 

 seal-headed cod, is of the same colour and size as the shore-cod, 

 and its head is, in like manner, covered with skin ; and it is com- 

 paratively rare. The young cod, tom-cod, or podley, swarms 

 in summer in all the harbours and shallow-waters. 



There are some other differences in the cod, which may part- 

 ly arise from difference of latitude and of coasts where they are 

 found. Thus, the farther north, the less oil is obtained from 

 them, their livers being smaller ; and the bank-cod yields the 

 least oil of any. 



The cod is sometimes caught six feet in length ; but there are 

 accounts of its having been taken larger. All the kinds of cod 

 obey the same general laws of migration. They shift according 

 APRIL — JULY 18%*. c 



