FAMILY GADID — MORRHUA. 275 
curve until it reaches the anterior portion of the middle dorsal fin, when it goes off straight ; 
distinct throughout its whole course, and somewhat wider behind. A single barbel or cirrus 
at the point of the lower jaw, an inch long, and enlarged at the base. Head sloping, ina 
slightly arched line ; its length to the total length, as one to four and a half. Eyes large and 
distant. Nostrils double ; posterior lower and largest. Upper jaw longest, both armed with 
teeth ; in the upper jaw, four rows in front, gradually reduced to two in the posterior part of 
the jaw. Lower jaw with a single row, which is small in front, larger in the posterior part of 
the jaw. 
The first dorsal fin commences slightly behind the base of the pectorals, longer than high, 
rounded on its margin; its first ray simple, and shorter than the second; the third longest, 
from whence they become successively shorter. ‘The second arises directly behind it, with 
its rays gradually diminishing to the last ; the third arises directly behind it, is of nearly twice 
its length, with a straight sloping margin; the third arises immediately behind the second, in 
advance of the origin of the second anal, and is longer than the first fin. Pectoral fins broad 
and rounded, of twenty and twenty-one rays. Ventrals in advance of the pectorals; the 
second ray longest, filiform ; this and the first ray often occur free. The first anal commences 
slightly behind the origin of the second dorsal, and is slightly shorter than that fin ; the second 
anal, subtriangular. Caudal nearly even, slightly rounded. 
Color. This varies so much in different individuals, as to have given rise to the belief that 
there is more than one species. The most usual arrangement of the markings is exhibited in 
the plate. In this, the back is of a light olive-green, (becoming pale ash in the dead speci- 
mens,) covered with numerous reddish or yellowish spots to a short distance below the lateral 
line. Cheeks, abdomen and lower fins whitish, minutely punctate with black. Head greenish 
olive above ; irides silvery. Lateral line opaque white throughout its whole extent. Pectorals 
and dorsals light green, usually punctate with black. Caudal of a darker green. The more 
usual varieties are, 1, with a greenish brown hue and inconspicuous spots, the arenosus or 
Shoal Cod of Dr. Mitchill; 2, of a smaller size, and with a reddish hue occasionally bright 
red, the rupestris or Rock Cod of the same author; 3, a more rare variety noticed by Dr. 
Storer, of a bright lemon- yellow. 
Length, 24:0. 
Himreys, D..15, 22-19 PL 195-V. 6s A. 22.19); °C. 20. 
This species has been very properly separated by Dr. Storer from the G. callarias, and 
even from the G. vulgaris, or Common Cod of Newfoundland, with which it had been con- 
founded. It occasionally attains an enormous size. Specimens weighing seventy and eighty 
pounds are sometimes taken. Dr. Storer speaks of a well authenticated instance of one which 
reached the enormous size of one hundred and seven pounds. It occurs along our coast during 
the whole year, going off into deeper water in the spring. 
The capture of the Bank Cod has not, as far as | am aware, excited much interest in this 
State ; but some idea of its importance in neighboring States may be gathered from the fol- 
