THE COD FAMILY. 377 



more brilliantly coloured than the rest, in which particular 

 it is subject to considerable sexual and other variation. 

 Eainbow It is difficult to say whether red, purple, green, 

 "Wrasse. or yellow predominates ; and there is usually 

 a large dark spot on the dorsal fin, sometimes a second on 

 the pectoral. Like most wrasses, it has a peculiarity of the 

 air-bladder that causes it to float if flung in the water as 

 soon as it is taken off the hook. I have in this way 

 thrown back many wrasses, ranging in weight from 3 

 ounces to as many pounds, and they invariably floundered 

 helpless at the surface. 



CHAPTER XIV. THE COD FAMILY. 



Of this important group of food-fishes we have a number 

 of representatives one only, the burbot or eel-pout, in- 

 habiting fresh waters. They are cold-water fish, distin- 

 guished for the most part by soft fins, smooth skin, and 

 a " beard " or fleshy barbel, not always present, on the 

 lower jaw. The eyes and mouth are large. 



The Cod, type of the family, is too well known to need 



minute description, being a large-headed, tapering, greenish 

 brown fish with distinct white lateral line, 

 upper jaw longer than the lower, and the 



family barbel. Codlings, as the young are called, are 



