LORJCAKIA. FISHES. 423 



below, with many small cirri, and sometimes rough with vil- 

 losities ; lips extensible ; one dorsal fin ; first ray of the dor- 

 sal and pectoral fins with spines ; branchial membrane with 

 four rays. 



L. cataphracia, Lin. Body yellowish-brown ; snout pointed, with 

 numerous small filaments, and mouth furnished with teeth. In- 

 habits Indian seas. Block, pi. 375, fig. 3, 4. 



L. maculata, Bloch. Body yellowish-brown, with a few distinct 

 bands of deeper brown spots ; surface roughened with small 

 points ; head large, rounded before ; mouth without teeth. 12 

 to 15 inches long. Indian seas. Block, pi. 375, fig. 1, 2. 



ORDER VII. MALACOPTERYGII SUBRACHIATI. 



Jaws complete ; branchiae pectinated ; ventral fins placed either 

 before the pectorals, between them, or a little behind. 



FAMILY I. GADITES. Gadus, Lin. 



The ventral fins in this family are attached under the throat and pointed ; the body 

 is elongated and covered with soft scales ; the head without scales ; and all the fins 

 are soft. The jaws and the fore part of the vomer are armed with pointed unequal 

 teeth, in many rows, similar to those of a card or rasp ; the branchial openings large, 

 with seven rays. Almost all have two or three dorsal fins, one or two behind the 

 anus, and a distinct caudal fin. The stomach in this family is large, their coecums 

 numerous, and their air-vessel large and often dentated on the sides. The greater 

 part of the group form important objects in the national fisheries. 



Gen. 1. MORRHUA, Cuv.Gadus, Lin. 

 Head compressed ; eyes distant, on the sides of the head ; body 

 elongated, slightly compressed ; three dorsal fins ; two anal ; 

 ventral fins pointed ; and a cirrus at the point of the lower 

 jaw. 



M. vulgarls. (G. morrkua, Lin.) The Cod. Head, back, and 

 sides grayish, with yellowish spots ; belly whitish ; scales some- 

 what larger than the other species of the genus. 2 to 3 feet 

 long, but sometimes upwards of five feet. Inhabits Northern 

 ocean. B. Shaw, iv. pi. 22. 



The cod-fishery has for ages formed an important object of national industry. 

 Before the great cod-fisheries of Newfoundland attracted mercantile enterprize, the 

 chief fisheries of this valuable animal were on the coasts of Iceland and the northern 

 coasts of Great Britain. 



M. Mglefinus, Lin. The Haddock. Body above dusky or brown, 

 beneath silvery ; lateral line black ; head cuneiform, the upper 

 jaw longest ; a large black spot on each side near the pectoral 

 fins ; tail forked. 18 to 24 inches long. Inhabits Northern 

 seas. B.~ Block, pi. 62. 



M. callarias, Lin. The Dorse. Body gray, with brown spots in 

 summer, and black in winter ; lateral line broad and spotted ; 

 jaw much longer than the under. Inhabits Northern seas. 

 lock, pi. 63. 



upper 

 Blo 



