TORSK, OR TUSK. 197 



SUBBRACHIAL 



MALACOPTERYGII. GAD]DJE. 



THE TORSK, OR TUSK. 



Brosmius vulgaris, Cuviek, Regne An. t. ii. p. 334. 



Brosmtis ,, Common TusA:, Flem. Brit. An. p. 194, sp. 90. 



Gadus brosme, Torsk, Penn. Brit. Zool. vol. iii. p. 269, pi. 37. 



,, ,, Scotcli Torsk, Don. Brit. Fish, pi, 70. 



,, ,, NiLssoN, Prod. p. 47, sp. 14. 



Generic Characters. — Body elongated ; a single dorsal fin, extending the 

 whole length of the back ; one barbule at the chin ; ventral fins fleshy. 



The Torsk, or Tusk, is a northern species, whicli is 

 only occasionally cauglit in the Forth, and is then brought 

 to the Edinburgh market. It is found more frequently in 

 the Orkney Islands, and swarms among those of Shetland, 

 ■where it makes a very considerable article in their fish trade. 

 It is cauglit with lines and hooks when fishing for Ling and 

 Cod, and is salted and dried in the same manner. When 

 eaten fresh, it is very firm and rather tough ; which makes 

 most people prefer it dry. It is one of the best fishes when 

 cured, swells much in boiling, and parts into very thick 

 flakes. I observed three examples of this fish, each about 

 sixteen inches in length, in the London market, during the 



