200 NATURAL HISTORY [Fishes. 



* * * * With one Fin on the Back. 



Species 8. The Torsk-Fish. 



Ore. Tusk or Cat-Fish. 



THIS fish is found on the banks off the Burgh of Birsay in 

 small quantities, but is very frequent on the coasts of Shet- 

 land, where it makes a very considerable article in their fish 

 trade. I am told the price has risen much within these few 

 years, insomuch that fish which could formerly be bought for 

 two shillings or two shillings and sixpence per dozen, now 

 sell for a crown *, owing, I suppose, to the extensive demand 

 for it. It is one of the best cured fishes, swells much in boil- 

 ing, and parts into very thick flakes ; ate fresh is very firm, ra- 

 ther tough, which makes most people prefer it dry. 



The description of this fish, which seems not to be that of the 

 natural historians, is as follows : The head small in proportion 

 to the fish, with a single beard under the chin ; the upper-jaw 

 very little longer than the lower ; in the jaws there are great 

 numbers of small teeth, and in the roof of the mouth a rough 

 or toothed bone, much of the shape of a horse-shoe ; a pretty 

 broad furrow runs from the setting on of the head, to where 

 the back-fin begins, which runs the whole length of the back, 

 within about an inch of the tail ; the tail is rounded ; anal 



* Torsk now sells for thirteen shillings and sixpence a quintal, in Shetland. 



