190 NATURAL HISTORY {^Fishes. 



almost quite transparent, the back-bone, heart, and other 

 bowels distinctly seen. This makes an excellent object in the 

 microscope, for viewing the circulation of the blood. 



2. Jugular. — The Ventral Fins before the Pectoral. 

 GENUS ZII.— COD-FISH KIND. 



Gen. Char. — Head smooth; seven slender branchiostegous rays; body oblong; 

 scales deciduous ; all the fins covered with a common skin ; ventral fins slender 

 and ending in a point ; teeth in the jaws, and in the palate a series of very mi- 

 nute teeth, closely set together. 



* With three dorsal fins; the chin bearded. 



Species 1. — The Common Cod-Fish. 



Asellus major vulgaris, Wil. Icth. 165. Cod-Fish or Keeling, Raii Syn. Pise. 

 53. Gadus Morhua, Lin. Sys. 436. Brit. Zool. 137. Ore. Cod or Cod- 

 ling. 



The Cod-fish is so well known as to need no description ; 

 is found in swarms on the banks all round these coasts, but 

 very little sought after. Of old this was not the case. In 

 Walls, in Birsa, in Grsemsey, and many other places, men and 

 boats were stationed, who made it their constant employment 

 to catch fish for curing and sale ; merchants from the south 



