The World of Fishes 



be the sum-total captured in a year by the com- 

 bined efforts of all fishermen ? 



In a year, however, a herring produces some- 

 where about thirty thousand eggs. What, then, 

 must be the sum-total of eggs produced by all 

 herrings in the ocean ? 



True, vast numbers of the eggs come to 

 nothing ; vast numbers serve as food for other 

 creatures. Yet enormous supplies escape count- 

 less dangers, and succeed. Thus the poor man's 

 food is bountifully given, in an ever-recurring 

 harvest. 



Among " Food-fishes" the " White" kinds are 

 prominent, belonging mainly to two large families. 

 One of these families includes Cod, Whiting, and 

 Haddock. The other consists of Flat Fishes, 

 such as Turbot, Halibut, Sole, Dab, Plaice. 



At the head of the first family stands the Cod, 

 that most useful and abundant creature, found 

 throughout the deeper waters of northern seas. 



During particular seasons the multitudes of 

 cod are accompanied by multitudes of cuttle- 

 fishes rather singularly, since cuttlefish are the 

 favourite food of cod. But perhaps it would be 

 more correct to say that the cuttlefish are accom- 

 panied by the cod the latter doubtless going 

 where they can find the food that they like. At 



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