524 THE SILVERY GADE AND THE TORSK. 



less into the Baltic. Its common length is said to be 

 from nine to eleven inches. As with the two species of 

 Motella named, the learned in Scandinavia seem to know 

 nothins: of the breedino: and other habits of this fish. 



The Silvery Gade (Motella argentcola, Yarr.) is also 

 included in the Scandinavian fauna, larger and smaller 

 specimens having been taken by E. von Diiben, off Grip, 

 an island near Christiansvmd, on the western coast of 

 Norway (lat. 63°), in August, 1813. This fisli, about two 

 inches in length, represents in miniature the 31. vulgaris, 

 from which, however, both Yarrell and Nilsson agree that 

 it may he readily distinguished by the conformation of the 

 head and the colour of the body. — Jenyns and Yarrell's 

 Mackerel Midge {31. glauca, Jen.) is by Nilsson considered 

 to be identical with the 31. argenteola, Yarr., while Kroyer, 

 on the other hand, surmises it may be the young of 

 Jf. 3Iustela. 



The Torsk, or Tusk {Luhb, Sw. ; Brosme, Norw. ; 

 Brosmius vulgaris, Cuv.), which is considered by 

 naturalists as a Northern fish, was somewhat scarce in 

 our Skargard. The northern Cattegat would, indeed, 

 seem to be about its limit to the southward ; it is never 

 met with in the Sound or in the Baltic ; but on the 

 western coast of Norway, up to the North Cape itself, it 

 is pretty common. Its usual length is from two feet and 

 a half to three feet, but at times it is still larger. The 

 adults are seldom met with, excepting at a gi^eat depth, 

 say from sixty to one hundred fathoms, with a rocky 

 bottom ; but the younger approach nearer to the shore. 

 It would seem to be a social fish, being generally found 

 in shoals, though not so large as those of others of the 

 Gadus family. The precise nature of its food is not known ; 

 but it takes the hook freely when baited with mussels 

 {3Ii/tiliis modiolus, Mlill.). It is believed to spawn in April. 

 Its flesh is considered coarse and ill-flavoured. 



