46 DR. D. H. STOKER'S REPORT. April, 



state, large quantities of oil are extracted from their livers, which 

 is sold for about ^15 per barrel. 



Immense shoals of the JMorrhua aeglefinus — Haddock — are found 

 on our coast in spring, and continue through the season until autumn. 

 Large numbers are sold in the market — and during the entire summer 

 it is generally eaten by the poorer classes, who are often able to ob- 

 tain a fine fish weighing several pounds, for one or two cents. When 

 taken in larger quantities than can be disposed of in market, they are 

 frequently strewed over the earth for manure. 



Until within a k\v years, the Merlangus pollachius — Pollack — 

 was but slishtly prized, — and the fishermen had so little demand for 

 it, that they not unfrequenily gave it away from their boats. Its use- 

 ful qualities are beginning to be known and valued — and in several of 

 the interior towns of the state, it is now as readily sold as any other 

 fish. When salted, it was formerly the habit to throw them at once 

 into old brine to increase their weight, which it did at the expense of 

 their goodness. It is ascertained, that, when prepared in the same 

 way as the cod, when intended for dun-Jish, with proper care and 

 good salt, this is really an excellent fish — and its value is in- 

 creased from 9 shillings to from 3 to 4 dollars per quintal. Immense 

 numbers of this species are found in our waters, in spring and au- 

 tumn. To .Jeffries' ledge, a fleet of 20 or 30 boats frequently go off 

 in the fall of the year, and having fastened their craft together, and 

 thrown over-board a quantity of bait to entice the fish, capture in a 

 single night from 30 to 40 quintals of pollack to a boat. 



The Pliycis longipes — Codling — known by the name of Hake, 

 along our entire coast, is taken in considerable quantities, and when 

 sailed, is exported to the West India markets. 



The Brosmius vulgaris — Cusk — and Merlangus vulgaris — Whit- 

 ing — are also excellent fishes — but are not found in our markets in 

 great quantities. 



The little JVIorrhua tomcodus — Tomcod — is by no means valueless. 

 The amount of Tomcod taken at Watertovvn alone, is estimated at 

 2,000 bushels annually — they are sent to Boston market, and readily 

 disposed of there. 



Several valuable species are furnished us by the family, Plani 

 — the most important, however, is the Hippoglossus vulgaris — Hali- 



