218 ZOOLOGY. 



in the one having cycloid scales, the other ctenoid, has a single dorsal 

 supported in front by spines, each of which has generally a membranous 

 appendage. The jaws are provided with fleshy lips. There are three 

 pharyngeals, the two upper attached to the cranium, the lower larger, all 

 armed with teeth of various kinds. Intestinal canal, with coeca, rudimen- 

 tary, or none. The most interesting American genera are Ctenolahrus 

 and Tautoga. The former is represented by C. ccuruleus, found along the 

 Atlantic coast from New Jersey, north ; and known by the fishermen by 

 the various names of bergall, cunner, blue perch, and chogset. Tautoga 

 Americana, tautog, or black-fish, is much esteemed for the table, and is 

 caught along the more northern Atlantic coast. 



The order Anacanihini contains fishes of great importance to mankind 

 as articles of food. This is divided into two sub-orders, the first Apodes, 

 without ventral fins, the second Thoracici, with the ventrals under the 

 pectorals, and the pelvis suspended to the bones of the shoulder. The 

 typical genus of the single family OpiiiDiDiE, included in the first sub-order, 

 is Ophidium, having the dorsal, caudal, and anal, either united, or separated 

 by a small interval. The ventrals are wanting. A small barbel at each. 

 angle of tiie jaw. Th^ North American species, O. marginatum and O. 

 stigma, are quite inconspicuous in every respect. The next two thoracic 

 families, GadidcB or codfish, and the PleuronectidcB or flat-fish, embrace 

 species standing in the very first rank in economical value. 



The Gadid.e have an elongated body, covered with soft scales, these not 

 extending on the head. Jaws, and front of vomer, with pointed irregular 

 teeth of various size, and gills with seven rays. Dorsal fins, three, or less ; 

 anal two, or one : coeca numerous. Air-bladder large, frequently inden- 

 tated. The genus MorrJnta, or true cod, has three dorsal fins, two anal; 

 pointed ventrals. A median barbel at the end of the lower jaw. The best 

 known species of cod is the Morrhua vulgaris (pi. 85, Jig. 1), found in the 

 European seas as far south as Gibraltar, and in the American to New- 

 foundland. The codfish caught oft' the coast of the United States belong 

 to another species, M. americana. M. vulgaris is found in immense num- 

 bers on the banks of Newfoundland, where they give employment, in 

 fishing, to vessels of all nations. They are caught wuth hooks, or seines 

 sunk to a considerable depth in the sea. On the banks of Newfoundland, 

 the usual fishing season is during the months of May and June. They are 

 preserved by simple green salting, or are salted and then dried. The 

 maximum size of this species, of 60 to 70 lbs., is exceeded by that of M, 

 americana, which has been known to weigh 107 lbs., according to Dr. 

 Storer. A cod of fifty pounds is, however, considered to be very large. 

 Various applications are made of the cod, other than as an article of food ; 

 the oil from the liver (known technically as oleum jecori), in particular, is 

 considered to be a highly valuable medicinal agent, especially in cases of 

 pulmonary consumption. The roe, also, is used as bait for various species 

 of herrings, as anchovies, pilchards, &c. Another species, M. ceglefinus, or 

 haddock, common to Northern Europe and America, is distinguished from 

 the cod proper, among other features, by the jet black lateral line. Inferior 

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