ioo THE MAMMALS, REPTILES, AND FISHES OF ESSEX. 

 Gadus merlangus, Linn. WHITING. 



Another well-known and valued member of this family. 

 This fish arrives in our estuaries about the middle or end of 

 September, and gives good sport to fishermen, as it takes the 

 hook freely. In some seasons, it is very abundant. 



Gadus pollachius, Linn. WHITING POLLACK. 



Dale says (History of Harwich, 1732, p. 428) that 

 in his time the Whiting Pollack was sometimes caught, 

 and brought to Braintree market with the other varieties of 

 Whiting. 



Genus MERLUCCIUS, Cuvier. 



Merluccius vulgaris, Cuvier. HAKE. 



Although this fish is so common on the south and west 

 coasts of this island, I never remember seeing more than one 

 specimen captured on the Essex coast. The specimen was 

 sent me by a dealer to name. This, in itself, is a sufficient 

 proof of the rarity of the species in the neighbourhood. No 

 doubt the shallowness of the water prevents their being more 

 common with us. Dale says (History of Harwich, p. 429), 

 " Hake is sometimes caught here. When salted and dried, it 

 is called ' Poor Jack.' " Lindsey also mentions (A Season 

 at Harwich, p. 73) this fish and its extraordinary voracity. 



Genus MOTELLA, Cuvier. 



Motella mustela, Nilss. FIVE-BEARDED ROCK LING. 



This is not common, our muddy shores not suiting its 

 habits, but I possess a specimen taken in the Colne. Day 

 (Fishes of Great Britain, vol. i., p. 316) gives the mouth of 

 the Thames among its haunts. 



