FISHES — GADIDAE — MOEEHUA. 141 



There are two or three dorsal fins ; one or two anals. The ventrals being inserted in advance 

 of the thoracic arch, hence jugular in position. 



The gills are four in number, fully developed. The pseudo-branchiae, on the other hand, are 

 not visible. The stomach is elongated, strongly muscular ; there are also numerous pyloric 

 ajipendages. The swimming or air bladder has no air duct ; it is well developed and strong, 

 and occasionally indentated on the sides. 



Stn. — Gadidae, Bonap. Sagg. distr. antra, vert. 1831, 117- — DeKay, New Y. Fauna, IV, 1842, 274. — Storer, Synopa. 

 1846, 215. 

 Gadoideae, Richards. Faun. Bor. Amer. Ill, 1836, 241. 



The Gadoids are comparatively scarce along the coast of California and Oregon. Besides the 

 two species hereon described, there is but another known to naturalists. It has been put on 

 scientific record under the appellation of 



Brosmius marginatus, 



Stn. — Brosmius marginatus, Atres, in Proc. Cal. Acad. Nat. Sc. I, 1854, 13. 



And since no specimens have, so far, been seen by us, we must refer our readers to the 

 description just alluded to. 



We regret not having had more perfect specimens of the pollack, to which was afBxed the 

 name of 



Merlangus productus, 



SvN. — Merlangns productus, Atres, in Proc. Cal. Acad. Nat. Sc. I, 1855, 64, 



in order to clear up the doubts that still exist touching its identity with, or specific difierence 

 from, Momalopomus trowbridgii, described further on. 



The seas of Kamtschatka, however, furnish several more species of this family, which it is 

 desirable should be better known. Thus Gadus luachna, Pall., G. gracilis, Tiles., and G. pyg. 

 niaeus, Pall, appear to fall within the characters of Morrliua ; whilst Gadus chalcogrammus, 

 Pall, is a Merlangus, and Gadus fimbria. Pall, probably a Merlucius. 



The " North Pacific Exploring Expedition" ought to enlighten us upon that subject, 



MORRHUA, (Belon!!), Cuv. 



Gen. Char. — Body and head elongated. Mouth moderate in size, or well developed, the upper jaw generally protruding 

 beyond the lower. Chin provided with a barbel. Card or velvet-like teeth upon the jaws and front of the vomer. Palatine 

 bones toothless. Tongue smooth. Gill apertures wide and continuous under the head. Branchiostegal rays, six or seven on 

 either side. Three dorsal and two anal fins, generally distinct. Upper surface of head and opercular apparatus covered with 

 minute scales. Scales of the body small, or of medium size, cycloid in structure. 



Stn.— JV/o)-r/ma, (BelonI!), Cuv. Rcgn. Anim II, 1817, 212 ; 2d ed. II, 1829 ; &, ed illustr. Poiss. 291.— Rich. Faun. Bor. 

 Amcr. Ill, 1886, 242.— Storer, Synops. 1846, 215.— DeKay, New Y. Fauna, IV, 1842, 274. 



It would have been desirable that the name of Gadus be preserved for a certain number of 

 species of this family, and especially for some of those which are now included in the genus 

 Morrhua ; the two genera, Gadus and Morrhua, being retained, in the event only of a convenient 

 sub-division into two natural groups of the species now generally referred to the latter genus. 



