POLLACK. 173 



This fish is called Lythc in Scotland, as already quoted ; 

 but whether this term is intended to refer to its supple, 

 pliant activity, or is derived from fithos, a stone, from its 

 living among rocks, I have not seen stated. Fine speci- 

 mens of the Pollack are taken about the rocky coast of 

 Scarborough, where they are called Leets. 



The Pollack is caught at Hastings and Weymouth. 

 Colonel Montagu says it is frequently taken in Devonshire, 

 "where it is bought by the inexperienced as Whiting. When 

 only twelve or fourteen inches long, the flesh possesses a 

 considerable portion of the pearly appearance and delicacy 

 of that fish. 



Mr. Couch says, " The Pollack is at all seasons one of 

 our most common fishes, but it is not gregarious except 

 in pursuit of prey ; and it rarely wanders far from its usual 

 haunts, which are along the edges of rocks, where, with the 

 head directed towards the coming tide, it is ready for any 

 prey that approaches. The smaller ones, which occupy such 

 a station covered with oreweed, have their colours very 

 bright, and the belly of a saffron yellow ; while on clean 

 ground they are less brilliant. In summer evenings, they 

 are often seen eager in pursuit of the Sandlaunce, frequently 

 spring from their element, and are often taken by anglers 

 from the rocks and piers. The Pollack spawns in winter 

 near the land ; and the young abound near the edge of the 

 tide in rocky ground at the beginning of summer." 



In Ireland, the Pollack may be traced as occurring on 

 the coast of the counties of Cork, Waterford, Dublin, An- 

 trim, Londonderry, and Donegal, under the names of Pol- 

 lack, Laith, and Lythe. 



The length of the head compared to that of the body is as 

 one to three and a half; the depth of the body is to the 

 whole length of the fish as one to four and a half : the first 



