CON OKU. 345 



of this experiments have she-vrn that the most vital portion of 

 the brain (encephalon) extends iVom the part termed pons 

 varolii along the whole course of the spinal cord, as far back 

 as the second cervical nerve; in any portion of which a wound 

 is instantly fatal; whereas behind this point or above it, nearer 

 the brain, the effect of a wound is gradually less dangerous. 

 (Forbes' Med. Review, vol. i, p. 560.) 



As an article of food much difference of opinion exists in 

 different places concerning this fish; for while rejected as 

 worthless, and even with abhorrence, in Scotland, in the west 

 of England it is valued and made a principal object of the 

 fishery. Nor is this \\vj\\ opinion a matter of modern date, 

 since we are informed that in the fourteenth century it was 

 admitted as a chief dish to the tables of the highest nobility, 

 and it was reserved as a chief rent in the underletting of land. 

 With us at present it is purchased by the agricultural population; 

 and much value is set on the milt and roe, on account of the 

 fat in which these organs are embedded, and which, from the 

 absence of all rancid or disagreeable smell and taste, is employed 

 in select cookery. 



There was an established trade in the west of Encrland for 

 a special preparation of this fish in the time of King John; 

 for we are told that, following the example of his Norman 

 predecessors, at the small price of six marks he assigned to 

 certain merchants of Bayonne, the same who already possessed 

 the sole privilege of the Whale fishery, the monopoly of the 

 right of drying Congers and Merluciones, or Hakes, in this 

 country; and this, as regards the Congers, we consider to have 

 been what in times not long past, was known as Conger doust 

 or douce, (sv/eet Conger;) the exportation of which was to 

 Spain, and perhaps to Portugal; but which ceased on our part 

 from a falling off in the abundance of these fish; and in Spain, 

 as we have been informed, from deficiency of sale. The fish 

 selected for this preparation were of the smaller size, and Avere 

 cut flat through their length, so as that they might be sewn 

 together by their edges, to form a sheet. They were then 

 hoisted on a frame-work, without salt, until the fat had melted, 

 dried, or taken flight; and in this state they were grated into 

 soup In the countries to which they were sent. Dried Congers 

 were also prepared in France; but with a better contrivance, 

 VOL. IV. 2 Y 



