CLASS PISCES. 99 



Many young ones, called " Codling," are, however, captured in 

 the finest condition all round the coast by hooks and nets. 

 Dale says (History of Harwich, p. 427) : " Cod-fish is to be 

 caught, in the season, before this [Harwich] Harbour." 



Gadus macrocephala, Tiles. LARGE-HEADED COD. 



Dr. Day (Journ. Linn. Soc., vol. xiv., no. 80, p. 689) 

 describes a specimen caught in the mouth of the Thames, 

 at Southend. This is also recorded in the Zoologist (1880, 



p. 26). 



Yarrell saw a large one from the mouth of the Thames ; 

 but he. considered the abnormal size to be due to disease. 

 The local fishermen call this variety " Lord-fish " (cf. Day's 

 Fishes of Great Britain, vol. i., p. 278). 



Gadus seglefinus, Linn. HADDOCK. 



I have occasionally taken this species in some numbers 

 in the Crouch ; but I do not think it is a very common fish 

 on the Essex coast. A large number were observed and 

 taken, off Purfleet, by the officers of the training-ship Cornwall 

 in 1879 (Land and Water, March ist, 1879, p. J 79)- They have 

 also been noted in Dagenham Breach (ibid., March 22nd, 

 1879, p. 236), by Mr. P. Hood, who communicated his 

 surprise at finding them in fresh water to F. Buckland. The 

 latter's explanation that the water of Dagenham Breach 

 was brackish accounted for the Haddock choosing it as a 

 spawning ground. 



Gadus luscus, Linn. BIB OR WHITING POUT (Locally, WULE 



or WHITING WULE). 



This is extremely common during the winter, and is known 

 among the Essex fishermen by the name of " Wule." It is 

 delicate eating, but I do not consider it of much value. When 

 freshly caught, the colouring is extremely beautiful ; but the 

 brilliancy soon passes off, and the scales are easily detached. 



