FAMILY GADIDZ. 291 
GENUS PHYCIS. Artedi, Cuvier. 
Two dorsal fins ; the first short, the second long. A single barbel at the chin. Ventrals 
with a single ray, sometimes divided at their tips. 
THE AMERICAN CODLING. 
Puycis AMERICANUS, 
PLATE XLVI. FIG. 150. — (STATE COLLECTION ) 
Blennius , Chuss at New-York. Scum@prr, Beobachtungen u. s. w. Vol. 8, p. 143. 
Enchelyopus americanus. SCHNEIDER, Biocu. 
Merlu barbu. DUHAMEL, Traité des Pesches, p. 148, pl. 25, fig. 4. 
Gadus longipes, Codling. Murcnit, Trans. Lit. and Phil, Soc. Vol. 1, p- 372. 
Phycis furcatus. Storer, Boston Jour. Vol. 1. 
Phycis americanus, American Hake. Storer, Report on the Fishes of Massachusetts, p. 138. 
Characteristics. Reddish brown. The third ray of the first dorsal more than twice the height 
of that fin. Ventrals extending to the vent, or a little beyond it. Length 
one to three feet. 
Description. Body cylindrical, tapering from the region of the pectorals; sides subcom- 
pressed. Scales small, orbicular. Lateral line distinct, arising from above and anterior to 
the margin ‘of the opercles ; concurrent with and near the back, until it reaches above the 
vent, when it rather suddenly curves down, but still keeping near the back, and going off 
straight through the tail. Head pointed, flattened above ; its outline sloping, nearly straight. 
Snout prominent. Upper jaw projecting beyond the lower, and both armed with several series 
of minute incurved teeth, with a free interval in front of the upper jaw. Patches of similar 
teeth on the anterior part of the vomer. Tongue large, distinct and fleshy. Barbel on the 
chin very small. Eyes large and prominent. The stomach with numerous cecal appendages. 
Abdominal cavity lined with a black pigment, in which the air-bladder, with its curiously 
fimbriated processes, is beautifully displayed. 
The first dorsal fin triangular, originating a short distance behind the base of the pectorals. 
The third filamentous ray, from its extreme delicacy, is often destroyed ; but when perfect, 
is as long as the dimensions given in the specific phrase. The second dorsal commences 
immediately behind the first ; its subequal rays are enveloped in a very stout membrane ; a 
few of its posterior rays become rapidly shorter. Pectorals long and rounded. Ventrals 
originate midway between the line of the base of the pectorals and the angle of the jaws. It 
is usually stated to consist of but one ray on each side. I am disposed to consider them as 
double, but enveloped in a common membrane for more than half the length of the shortest 
filament. When perfect, they extend to, and even a little beyond the vent. The anal fin 
commences opposite to the twelfth or thirteenth ray of the second dorsal, and terminates a 
little anterior to the end of that fin; its rays are subequal, gradually diminishing in length 
towards the tail. Caudal rather long, and fan-shaped. 
