290 



GADID^. 



THE AJUERICAX HADDOCK. 



Morrhua jEglefinis — Cuvier. 



The American Haddock. 



The distinctive colouring of tliis fish is blackish brown above^ 

 and silvery grey below the lateral line, which is jet black. The 

 back and sides are varied by purplish and golden gleams ; there 

 is a large dark vertical patch posterior to the pectorals^ crossing 

 the lateral line. 



The fins are dusky blue. 



The body of the Haddock is stout anteriorly, and tapering 

 backward. The head lai'ge and arched. The eyes are large. 

 The lower jaw is the shortest ; the teeth small, in a single row 

 on each jaw ; a single small barbel on the chin. 



It has three dorsals, the first and third triangular, the second 

 longest, respectively of fifteen, twenty-two, and twenty rays. 

 The pectorals have twenty-one ; the ventrals, sixteen ; the two 

 anals, respectively, twenty-five and twenty-one ; and the caudal, 

 thirty-four rays. 



The range of the Haddock is similar to that of the Cod ; it is 

 very abundant, and is about equal in estimation as an article of 

 food with its congeners. 



