86 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 



157. Lycodes reticulatus (Reinhardt). Eel-pout. 



Geog. Dist. : North Atlantic, south to Narragansett Bay-. 



Season in R. I.: The National Museum contains two specimens taken by 



the Fish Hawk in Narragansett Bay in 17 fathoms, September, 1880. 



(Goode and Bean, Oceanic Ichthyology, 1896, 305.) 

 Habitat: Deep water, 17 to 140 fathoms. 

 Size: Fourteen inches. 



MERLUCCIID^. The Hakes. 



158. Merluccius bilinearis (MitchiU). Silver Hake; Whiting; Frost-fish. 

 Geog. Dist.: Coast of New England, northward to Straits of Belle Isle; 



south in deep water to the Bahamas. 



Season in R. I.: A few taken in May in offshore waters. Common in 

 Narragansett Bay in October. 



Reproduction: In September and October, 1880, while exploring the 

 ocean bottom off Newport and at the edge of the Gulf Stream, immense 

 numbers of the young of this species, from J inch to 3 inches in length, 

 were taken on the bottom, in water 150 to 487 fathoms deep; with them 

 were taken many adults, 12 to 18 inches in length, apparently in the act 

 of spawning, some with ripe or nearly ripe ova, others which were evidently 

 spent fish. The largest of these young must have been hatched from eggs 

 shed in July. Thus the spawning season must be somewhat extended, 

 lasting well into the fall. In September an adult taken at Halifax, N. S., 

 was fuU of nearly ripe spawn. (Goode, Nat. Hist, of Aquatic Animals 

 242.) 



Food: This species is a fish of prey, coming to the surface to capture herring 

 and other small fishes. Also feeds upon crabs and small Crustacea. 



GADID^. The Cods. 



159. PoUachhls virens (Linnsus). Pollock. 



Geog. Dist.: North Atlantic, south on both coasts to New Jersey and 

 France. 



Migrations: Like the cod, appearing in New England shore waters in cool 

 weather, leaving when temperature reaches 60° or 65°F. Reach Nan- 

 tucket early in April. 



