THE POLLACK. 149 



state for the table in winter ; they associate in 

 large shoals, which rove about in quest of prey, 

 and are readily attracted by the baits of the 

 fisherman. The coal-fish often attains the 

 weight of twenty or thirty pounds, but it is 

 more esteemed when of a smaller size. The 

 general colour of this fish above, as far as the 

 silvery white lateral lines, is dusky black ; 

 the sides below the lateral line are greyish 

 white, with golden reflexions. Both the adult 

 and the young have numerous local names. 



There is another species, termed the pollack, 

 or lythe, (Merlangus pollachiusj) common in 

 our seas, and caught on various parts of our 

 coasts ; it is much superior to the coal-fish in 

 the delicacy of its flesh, the young being almost 

 equal to whiting. The pollack is extremely 

 active and voracious, seizing the baited hook 

 with great avidity, and is consequently cap- 

 tured with little difficulty. The general colour 

 of this species is olive brown on the upper 

 parts ; the sides are silvery, spotted with 

 yellow ; the lateral line, which makes a bold 

 curve over the pectoral fin, is dusky. 



The hake (Merlucius vulgaris) is another fish 

 of the present family, found in the northern 

 seas, and common along the coast of our island, 

 and of the adjacent continent. It is taken in 



