190 NATURAL HISTORY [Fishes. 



almost quite transparent, the back-bone, heart, and other 

 bowels distinctly seen. This makes an excellent object in the 

 microscope, for viewing the circulation of the blood. 



2. Jugular. The Ventral Fins before the Pectoral. . 

 GENUS XIL COD-FISH KIND. 



Gen. Char. Head smooth; seven slender branchiostegous rays; body oblong; 

 scales deciduous ; all the fins covered with a common skin ; ventral fins slender 

 and ending in a point ; teeth in the jaws, and in the palate a series of very mi- 

 nute teeth, closely set together. 



* With three dorsal fins; the chin bearded. 



Species 1. The Common Cod-Fish. 



Asellus major vulgaris, WiL Icth. 165. Cod-Fish or Keeling, Rail Syn. Pise. 

 53. Gadus Morhua, Lin. Sys. 436. Brit. Zool. 137. Ore. Cod or Cod- 

 ling. 



THE Cod-fish is so well known as to need no description ; 

 is found in swarms on the banks all round these coasts, but 

 very little sought after. Of old this was not the* case. In 

 Walls, in Birsa, in Graemsey, and many other places, men and 

 boats were stationed, who made it their constant employment 

 to catch fish for curing and sale ; merchants from the south 



