TV/ A' ToM COD. 



which lire abundantly thrown in tin-in. It is found ih:ii under this treatim-nt the Cod is firmer, 

 thicker, an. I hcaxier in pm|.m iimi i.. iis length, than if ii hail l>een Buffered to room at large 

 in tin- s-.i. 



Tin- color >f il, ' rreen, rather mottled with deejer tints, and the alxlonii-n in 



white. 'I'll.- hi-ail i^ xi-rx lanre. there ia a long, Ili-shy barbule on tin- chin, and the pupil of 

 tin- e\e is blue. Varieties i:i ..lor ami exen in form an- not utiri>iiiiiinn. and in sum*- cases an- 

 thought in ! produced l>y ditTi-n-n<-- i>f di-t and locality. Tin- average length of an adult 

 Cod-tisli is alxnit thn-e f.-et, ami its weight twelve pounds. 



Tin- Common Cod < </'<"/'/ x callaritu, L. >. having a range extending from the northern seas 

 to Virginia, and from On-iron to Japan, is tin- nii.si important of all food-fishes. It is taken 

 along the coast of Massachusetts during the whole year, leaving the vicinity of land in 

 February and uoim; into deeper water. Durini; the i >reparation of the State Reports of Mas- 

 sachus,-tts mi Natural History. Dr. Storer, of Boston, had occasion, in his task of writing up 

 tin- histories of the fishes, in rniisiilt several xvell-known ami reliable authorities. Among 

 them. .Jonathan .b.hnson. of Naliant. is pnnninent. \Ve had the pleasure of his acquaintance, 

 and have j>ersonal knowlelge of the great services he, as well as some others in the tr.ide, 

 extended to orient i tic obserxers. !! states that the largest Cod he has seen taken weighed 

 eighty -eiirht jM>nn<ls. Mr. Hoi brook, a fishmonger in Boston Market. n-]H)rted to Dr. Storer 

 that he "saw taken, in the spring of 1>7, at New Ledge, near Portland, Me., a Cod that 

 weighed one hundred and seven pounds, which had barnacles on its head us large as one's 

 thumb." 



Tin- AMI KM .xx COD is very voracious, attacking and feeding on smaller fishes, crustaceans, 

 and marine shell-tishes. During the winter months the Cod-fishes have their stomachs full of 

 small mollnsks. crustaceans, xxm-in-. etc., which an- obtained on the rocks in deep water. 

 Boston is supplied largely with fresh Cod and haddock by small vessels sent out from 

 Nahatit and Swampsroti. These vessels averse about fifty tons, and are built much after 

 tin- models of the pilnt Imats, l>eing staunch and fleet. The \x riter once accept^l an invitation 

 to take a place on board and accompany the crew on one of their winter day trips. " Green's 

 Harbor ground" is a favorite place for Cod and haddock fishing at this season. There we 

 came to anchor after three hours' sail ; having started from home at the early hour of 2 A. M. 

 This early start brings tln-m on the grounds at daylight, when the fishes bite more briskly. 

 Of the six men, each has his boat on deck. They are put out at distances from each other, 

 and after four or five hours' fishing are ready to be picked up ; the vessel lying to during tin- 

 day until then. \Ve were clothed, like the others, in heavy woolens, and an oil-cloth suit overall, 

 with Son -Wester" hat. The boots are immensely heavy, and being soaked with tar, become 

 imiNTvions to wet. Heavy woolen mittens for the hands, most singularly afford complete com- 

 fortduring tin- intense col. 1 by frequent immersion in a bucket of sea-water, the mittens being 

 snaked in it. >< l,.n- as this u :( s ,l,,ne the hands n-mained warm, (in-eifs llailr is din-ctly 

 opjHtsite Daniel Webster's estate, at Marshfield, Mass., and is a favorite resort for fishermen 

 for Boston market. Cod-fish that live around the shore, among the algffi, become delicate, and 

 are often quite brilliant in color. Their fiesh is tender and sweeter than those of the deep sea. 



The TOM COD is a miniature of the Cod-fish, reaching in the colder waters of Maine about 

 twelve inches. Hut farther south it is usually about eight inches in length. In the fall, when 

 the first cold weather tomes, this is called Frost-fish, and is taken by the hook from our 

 wharves. It is a savory fish. Dr. Mitchell says it has been taken in great numbers in the 

 cr.-.'ks |.\ a '..mm.'ii ln-. ih-- fishes L.-in- >n abundant. Its nmtre i-. from Ni-w fnuiidland to 

 Hatteras. 



The Codlings, of genus Phyci*, are represented by several species in our American waters 

 north of Hatteras. One is railed Squirrel Hake, and Chuss in New York ; American Hake in 



A Knirland. It is also called Ling, a picture of which will be seen on same cut with Sly 

 Silunis. nn a following page. These fishes are caught at niyht. During the bright summer 

 ni_'hts. off Naliant, the light dancing dories of the Swampscott fishermen may be seen manned 

 by busily engaged fishers for the local markets. This fish varies from ten to thirty pounda 

 weight. Cask is another variety allied to the preceding. 



