FAMILY GADIDiE — MOERHUA. 275 



curve until it reaches the anterior portion of the middle dorsal fin, when it goes ofif straight ; 

 distinct throughout its whole course, and somewhat wider behind. A single barbel or cirrus 

 at the point of the lower jaw, an inch long, and enlarged at the base. Head sloping, in a 

 slightly arched line ; its length to the total length, as one to four and a half. Eyes large -and 

 distant. Nostrils double ; posterior lower and largest. Upper jaw longest, both armed with 

 teeth ; in the upper jaw, four rows in front, gradually reduced to two in the posterior part of 

 the jaw. Lower jaw with a single row, which is small in front, larger in the posterior part of 

 the jaw. 



The first dorsal fin commences slightly behind the base of the pectorals, longer than high, 

 rounded on its margin ; its first ray simple, and shorter than the second ; the third longest, 

 from whence they become successively shorter. The second arises directly behind it, with 

 its rays gradually diminishing to the last ; the third arises directly behind it, is of nearly twice 

 its length, with a straight sloping margin ; the third arises immediately behind the second, in 

 advance of the origin of the second anal, and is longer than the first fin. Pectoral fins broad 

 and rounded, of twenty and twenty-one rays. Ventrals in advance of the pectorals ; the 

 second ray longest, filiform ; this and the first ray often occur free. The first anal commences 

 slightly behind the origin of the second dorsal, and is slightly shorter than that fin ; the second 

 anal, subtriangular. Caudal nearly even, slightly rounded. 



Color. This varies so much in different individuals, as to have given rise to the belief that 

 there is more than one species. The most usual arrangement of the markings is exhibited in 

 the plate. In this, the back is of a light olive-green, (becoming pale ash in the dead speci- 

 mens,) covered with numerous reddish or yellowish spots to a short distance below the lateral 

 line. Cheeks, abdomen and lower fins whitish, minutely punctate with black. Head greenish 

 olive above ; irides silvery. Lateral line opaque white throughout its whole extent. Pectorals 

 and dorsals light green, usually punctate with black. Caudal of a darker green. The more 

 usual varieties are, 1, with a greenish brown hue and inconspicuous spots, the arenosus or 

 Shoal Cod of Dr. Mitchill ; 2, of a smaller size, and with a reddish hue occasionally bright 

 red, the rupestris or Rock Cod of the same author ; 3, a more rare variety noticed by Dr. 

 Storer, of a bright lemon- yellow. 



Length, 24-0. 



Fin rays, D. 15.22.19; P. 19 ; V. 6 ; A. 22.19; C. 40. 



This species has been very properly separated by Dr. Storer from the G. callarias, and 

 even from the G. vulgaris, or Common Cod of Newfoundland, with which it had been con- 

 founded. Tt occasionally attains an enormous size. Specimens weighing seventy and eighty 

 pounds are sometimes taken. Dr. Storer speaks of a well authenticated instance of one which 

 reached the enormous size of one hundred and seven pounds. It occurs along our coast during 

 the whole year, going off into deeper water in the spring. 



The capture of the Bank Cod has not, as far as I am aware, excited much interest in this 

 State ; but some idea of its importance in neighboring States may be gathered from the fol- 



