NATURAL HISTORY. xlii 



There are several other banks of considerable extent along that coast, where the cod- 

 fish assemble in the autumn in astonishing numbers ; and although so near to some of 

 tlie Danish colonies, but little advantage is derived from those fisheries, \^hich if pro- 

 perly managed would doubtless prove of very great benefit to the inhabitants of that 

 part of the country, as an article of food, and of considerable value to Denmark in a 

 commercial point of view. 



We observed much difference in the number of the rays of the dorsal finr. from 

 those given by Lacep^de. In all those examined by me, without a single exceijtion 

 the second back fin contained a greater number of rays than either the first or third • 

 although there was considerable variation in those of some individuals. 



The following dimensions are taken from an average of fifteen different fishes 

 varying in length from twenty-nine to forty-six inches, and in weight from eioht to 

 thirty-five pounds: 



Length from tlie tip of the snout to the end of the tail . . 36.7 inches 

 of the head to the posterior part of the gill covers . . 9.1 

 of the tail (from its insertion) ..... 5.2 



Depth of the tail 74 



Average weight, 161b. 2 oz. 



B 7. P 18. V 6. A 19, 20. D 14, 20, 17. C 38 to 40. 



This fish had never before been found during any of the preceding Arctic expeditions, 

 although frequently sought for; but on our late voyage we purchased a number of a 

 smaller size, nmch resembling in colour the rock codling of our coast, from a 

 party of Esquimaux, who were fishing for them through holes in the ice, that 

 covered the inlet on the west side of the peninsula of Boothia, near Cape Isabella, 

 HI June, 183],. Those obtained from the natives varied from fourteen to twenty-five 

 inches in length, but we were told by them that those taken in the autumn at a short 

 distance to the westward often exceeded three feet. 



The alimentary canal of the largest examined by me rather exceeded twice 

 the length of tlie body, and was furnished with two hundred and fifty simple 

 cylindrical caeca. 



