CHAP. xiv. CODS AND HADDOCKS. 285 



also walk down the Cod's gullet, so that nothing may 

 be lost. As for the Holothuridce or Sea-cucumbers, 

 few if any of them escape. Now and then fragments 

 of the Medusae are swallowed ; feathers, with the 

 remains of sea-fowl ; and, on one occasion, the skeleton 

 of a partridge, with the wings, feet, legs, and head 

 adhering. Pieces of pewter and of cloth occasionally ; 

 and once a cluster of beech-nuts, with part of a 

 domestic fowl. As for fish ! why, the fish does not 

 swim that the Cod, when hungry, will not attack, and, if 

 successful, swallow. In short, nothing seems to come 

 amiss. But this outline of the Cod's bill of fare does 

 not include all that the animal preys upon and 

 devours. It is enough, however, to show its epi- 

 curean propensities. The Cod is extensively fished 

 for along this part of the coast, and may be termed 

 the poor man's salmon. Great numbers are salted and 

 dried, and in that state are sent to the southern mar- 

 kets. The Haddock, like the Cod, is extensively 

 taken, and largely cured and forwarded south. Like 

 the Cod, the stomach of this species is also a rich 

 mine for the Naturalist, as the reader may already have 

 anticipated from the foregoing list." * 



In order to obtain all these products of the sea, 

 Edward went round among the fishermen from Crovie 

 to Portsoy, and pressed them to help him in his 

 researches. He told them that many an object of 

 great interest to Naturalists was daily thrown away. 



* Naturalist, 1855. 



