THE LING. 353 



sharp, irregular teeth, as well as the anterior part of the vomer; un- 

 der jaw rather the shortest ; gape wide ; maxillary extending back 

 to beneath the middle of the orbit ; operculum of a triangular form, 

 ending in a point behind. The head, body, dorsal, anal, and caudal fins 

 covered with small, elongated, adherent scales ; lateral line taking a 

 slight bend from its origin to beneath the commencement of the se- 

 cond dorsal fin, from thence running straight to the end of the tail ; 

 chin furnished with a long slender barbule about the length of the 

 dorsal rays. Number of fin rays — 



1st D. 15 ; 2d D. 70 ; P. 17 ; V. 6 ; A. 60 ; C. 87. 



The Ling is a fish well known both in the recent and 

 salted state, and is said to attain to the length of seven 

 feet ; but the more ordinary size is from three to four 

 feet. It is common along the English, Irish, and Scottish 

 coasts, and, like the Cod and Hake, forms a considerable 

 article of commerce. Large quantities are annually salted 

 and dried, the greater part of which is exported to Spain. 

 The liver of the Ling produces abundance of oil, which 

 has been used in certain rheumatic affections, with ap- 

 parent success. In the Firth of Forth, Ling are taken 

 with lines, principally about the Isle of May, where they 

 are found more plentiful than further up the estuary ; oc- 

 casionally small ones are met with near Inchkeith, but 

 scarcely ever above Queensferry. According to Pennant, 

 when a Ling is in season the liver is white, and abounds 

 with fine flavoured oil ; but as soon as it is out of season, 

 the liver assumes a reddish appearance, and affords no oil. 

 The same is the case with the Cod and many other fishes, 

 but in a less degree. In June, the Ling sheds its spawn, 

 after which it remains out of condition till August, when 

 it again becomes wholesome food. 



Genus MOTELLA. — Dorsal fins two, the first with slen- 

 der rays, scarcely perceptible ; the second long, continuing 



VOL. VII. z 



