127 



, , THE LING. 



Acanthini. Gadidce. 



(Lota molva.) 



German : Der Leng. Danish : Lnnge. Dutch : De Lewj. French : 



Molve. 



In March, 1857, I received a Ling weighing 4Glhs., 

 and measuring 4ft. lOin. in length. A cast of this 

 fish is in my museum. As an article of commerce the 

 ling is well known, especially in Scotland, where, in 

 some parts, it forms the staple trade of the inhabitants 

 residing near the sea. It appears, by that most valuable 

 volume, the ''Sea Fisheries Keport, 1861," that the best 

 cod and ling fishing in Scotland is at Shetland. The 

 fishing for ling is carried out in open boats, a somewhat 

 remarkable circumstance, as from this cause the fishing 

 cannot be carried on in bad weather, and hence a great 



LING {Lota molva, Gadus molva, Molva vulgaris). 



loss to the poor fishermen. One witness states it to be 

 the fact that a great deal more of this valuable food 

 might be obtained if more money were spent in procur- 

 ing better boats. There is also another cause which 

 prevents at times the fishing for ling, viz., the want of 

 bait, which is composed of pieces of haddock, herring, 

 and mackerel, and when these are not prociurable fi'om 

 close seasons, and other unavoidable causes, the fishing 

 of necessity suffers. 



There are more men employed in this fishery than in 

 fishing for cod, both of which fishing are carried on by 



