COD. POLL O CK, HADDOCK AND HAKE. 363 



in exploring the bottom, at a depth of from one hundred and fifty to three 

 hundred fathoms, off Newport and in the edge of the Gulf Stream, im- 

 mense numbers of young fish, from half an inch to three inches in length, 

 were found at the bottom, and with them were many adults, twelve to 

 eighteen inches in length, apparently in the act of spawning ; some of 

 them with the ova ripe, or nearly ripe, but not yet shed ; others evidently 

 spent-fish. This discovery was exceedingly interesting, since it may serve 

 as a clew to the spawning habits of other species, like the bluefish and 

 menhaden, which have been supposed to spawn at a distance from the 

 shore, but have never been detected in the act. The spawning period 

 doubtless extends over a considerable space of time ; some of the eggs 

 from which the largest of the young were hatched off Newport must have 

 been laid as early as July. In September an adult, obtained at Halifax, 

 Nova Scotia, had the ova well developed and nearly ready for deposition. 

 It is not known whether the eggs of the Silver Hake float or sink. Couch 

 stales that the spawning season of the European Hake is from January to 

 April, at which time the fish are caught near the bottom, and lose the 

 great voracity by which they are characterized at other times, so that 

 multitudes are caught in trawls, and a few with lines. When pilchards 

 approach the shore the Hake follow them, continuing in incalculable 

 numbers throughout the winter. 



The Hake of Europe is always considered a coarse fish, and though 

 great quantities are annually salted and dried it is not held in very high 

 esteem. ]Many of the salted fish are sent to Spain. They are said to be 

 (juite common on the northern shore of the Mediterranean, where con- 

 siderable traffic is carried on with them ; they are packed with aromatic 

 plants and sent to the towns remote from the coast. 



Storer remarks : " Occasionally this species is brought to market, and 

 when perfectly fresh is a very sweet fish, boiled, broiled or fried. It soon 

 becomes soft and is preserved with difficulty. As it does not appear to 

 be known abroad, and the fishermen consequently have no call for it, it is 

 not cured, but is considered worthless. In the months of September and 

 October the Whiting is used somewhat for bait for the dogfish and answers 

 a good purpose." 



The California Hake, Merluciics productus,. writes Prof. Jordan, is most 

 commonly known along the coast by its Italian name, " Merluccio," pro- 

 nounced mcrlooch. At Soquel and elsewhere it goes by the name of 



