10 PACIFIC COD FISHERIES. 
relate, it was found to be absolutely worthless as bait when cut into 
pieces. Sculpins are frequently found in its stomach, as are also sal- 
mon, herring (Clupea pallasi), capelin, halibut, and sand launce 
(Ammodytes personatus). Yellow striped fish, or “Atka mackerel ” 
(Pleurogrammus monopterygius), is a popular article of food when 
in season. The male red rock trout (Hexagrammos superciliosus) , 
which has greenish colored flesh and is given the common name of 
“ porgy ” by the fishermen, is a favorite article of food. Sometimes 
young cod are found in the stomachs of the adults. Octopi and 
shrimp are favorites of the cod, and during the summer months their 
stomachs will be found, in certain sections, to be filled with the 
iatter. 
OTHER MEMBERS OF THE GADIDA, 
An odd feature of the cod fisheries of the Pacific is the total ab- 
sence of the haddock and hake, which form such a large proportion of 
the catch of the Atlantic Gadidve fishery. The pollock of Alaska is 
quite different from the one found in the Atlantic. The minor species 
of the Gadideze found on this coast are described below. 
Ling.—The ling (Lota maculosa) is our only fresh-water member 
of the Gadide, and is said to be common in the Yukon Basin, and has 
also been reported from the Nushagak, Fraser, and Columbia Rivers. 
It attains a length of 1 to 3 feet. Although fully as palatable as 
the ling found in east-coast streams, it is rarely utilized as food, 
except in British Columbia and Washington, where large quantities 
are marketed. 
Tomcod.—The tomcod, or wachna (Microgadus proximus), is 
found in abundance from Alaska to Monterey. In the more southern 
portions of its range it is often sold in the markets as “smelt.” In 
form the tomcod is a miniature cod, and there is difficulty in dis- 
tinguishing the young of the two species. The tomcod rarely ex- 
ceeds a foot in length and is esteemed as a delicacy in many localities. 
In the northern portion of Bering Sea the wachna, as it is called, 
is of great importance to the natives, who depend upon it for a con- 
siderable part of their food supply during the winter season. Mr. 
Dall” has the following to say of this fishery: 
This fish much resembles the common tomcod of the Eastern States, * * * 
but while the latter is of most insignificant importance from its scarcity and 
poor quality, the former species occupies a very important place in the domestic 
economy of both natives and Russians on both shores of Bering Sea. It is 
apparently a permanent inhabitant of these coasts, but is most abundant in 
‘the fall of the year, when the ice begins to form in the rivers and along the 
shores. The Waukhni fishery commences about the middle of October. At first 
it is caught from boats anchored close inshore, but later the natives cut holes 
@ Report of Commissioner of Agriculture for 1870, p. 381. (1871.) 
