694 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



The pollack is a native of the north Atlantic. It is common 

 northward on both coasts, and extends south to France and New 

 Jerse}'. Mitchill described the fish under the name of the New 

 York pollack. De Kay mentions it under several names: the 

 New York pollack, the coalfish, and the green pollack. De Kay 

 says the fish is taken with the common cod, but is by no means 

 common on the coast of New York. He saw a specimen weigh- 

 ing 17 pounds, and measuring 38 inches in length. In another 

 description he states that the coalfish is often taken off the 

 harbor of New York in company with the cod, and is known as 

 pollack and black pollack. The third form under which the fish 

 was known to De Kay was described by him from a specimen 

 captured by hook out of a large school in Long Island sound. 

 The pollack enters Gravesend bay in the fall. In captivity it is 

 a ravenous feeder. It requires cold water and will not endure 

 high temperatures, 



De Kay states that the fish flipped in the same manner as the 

 menhaden, and was at first supposed to be of that species. The 

 school seemed to be very timid; for, on a very slight noise in 

 the boat, they all disappeared. 



Dr Smith states that adult pollack appear in Vineyard sound. 

 Great harbor, Woods Hole Mass. in May, following the run of cod. 

 They depart when the temperature of the water reaches 60° or 

 65°. In April there is a run of pollack, measuring from 1 to H 

 inches long. By June, when these fish leave, they have reached 

 a length of 4 inches. In fall there is a small run of pollack 7 

 or 8 inches long. The average weight of adults in that locality 

 is about 10 pounds, the largest one seined having weighed 14 

 pounds. In Massachusetts bay this is an extremely abundant 

 species, and constitutes an important food resource. 



Genus microgadus Gill 

 Very small codfishes allied to G a d u s , but with the vent 

 placed before the second dorsal and with a different structure 

 of the cranium. The following is Prof. Gill's account of the 

 skull of M i c r o g a d u s p r o x i ui u s , the italicised part indi- 

 cating the difference from G a d u s. 



