136 FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



Brosmius. Cuv. 



Generic characters. Body elongated ; a single dorsal fin 

 extending the whole length of the back ; one barhule at the 

 chin ; ventral fins fleshy. 



B. vulgaris. Cuv. The Cusk. 



Pennant's British Zoology, vol. iii. 178 et fig. 

 Yarrell's British Fishes, ii. 197 et fig. 



Although Le Sueur's description of a " Brosmitis,'^ which 

 he calls flavescens, from a specimen seen by him at Marble- 

 head, published in the tifth volume of the " Memoires du Mu- 

 seum d'Histoire Naturelle,^^ lies before me, I cannot think our 

 common cusk a difierent species from the European. Our 

 species is commonly taken upon the Middle Bank, with the 

 hook, while fishing for deep-water cod. In the spring of the 

 year it is not unfrequently met with in the Boston market, and 

 does not sell as readily as the cod ; in the winter season it is 

 rare, and then sells readily for double the prices of that species. 

 By many, as afresh fish it is considered quite a delicacy ; and 

 when salted, is thought preferable to the Cod. 



The liver of this species contains a large quantity of oil, 

 which is sometimes preserved by the fishermen, who consider 

 it an excellent application to a burned surface. 



The following description is drawn up from a specimen 

 twenty five inches in length, weighing between three and fom: 

 pounds. Color of the body an uniform dark slate ; head 

 rather darker than the body. Head, one fifth the length of 

 the body ; width of the body across the commencement of the 

 anal fin, exclusive of the dorsal fin, equal to one sixth the length 

 of the specimen ; width of the head across the posterior angle 

 of the operculum, equal to two thirds its length ; the scales on the 

 head present a peculiarly corrugated appearance. Mouth, large. 

 Jaws, filled with sharp, recurved teeth. Upper jaio slightly 

 longer thati the lower. A single barbule under the chin. 



