LIXG. 91 



the advice ■which Tusscr gives in regard to its safe keeping. 

 In his husbandry for winter he recommends — 



"Both salt-fisli and Ling, if any ye have, 

 Through shifting and drying from rotting to save; 

 Lest ■winter ■with moistness do make it relent, 

 And put it to hazard before it be spent." 



Oil from the liver of this is probably of the same value .as 

 a medicine Avith that of the Cod; and it was formerly much 

 ixsed, with that of several other fishes, to light the fisherman's 

 lamp, instead of a candle. The air-bladders also, or sounds, 

 are much valued as a delicate food, although they fall greatly 

 below those of the Cod. 



The season when the best captures are made varies on 

 dififerent parts of the coast. In the west of England it is in 

 January and February; but, according to Dr. Edmonson, in 

 Zetland this fishery begins on the 20th. of ^Nlay, and ends on 

 the l~th. day of August. Mr. Brabazon says that in the north 

 of Ireland it is in March, and that this fish spawns there 

 towards the end of May. On the re-discovery of the abundant 

 fishing-ground at Rockall, wdiile the Cod was the principal 

 object, the Ling was not found to be deficient. 



The Ling is an eager feeder, and yet it displays some degree 

 of choice in the selection of its food, among which a living 

 prey is preferred, although it will readily swallow a piece of 

 herring, pilchard, or a slice of two or three kinds of cuttle. 

 Pieces of the conger are used as bait in some places, but 

 w'hile crabs and the lobster kind find no acceptance; (for in a 

 large number that were examined, none of these animals were 

 found, although the stomachs of the Cod caught in the same 

 ground contained them in plenty.) Lacepede remarks that this 

 fish shews a decided preference for the Plaise; and, in con- 

 firmation of this, from one Ling seven of the last-named species, 

 which varied in length from six to ten inches, have been 

 taken. Skulpins also are sometimes found, and even a Hough 

 Hound of considerable size. 



That even severe injury to the stomach does not deprive this 

 fish of its craving appetite is shewn by the fact that when a 

 large hook had gone down through the gullet with its shank 

 foremost, and thus had penetrated through the side of that 



