138 THE COMMERCIAL SEA FISHES OF 



long-lines, so that when the fish is hauled up it looks as 

 plump and round as a live fish, only when opened it is 

 found to be full of " bees," and nothing else (J. Anderson). 

 I may here mention, as one of the causes of prevention of 

 the due increase of these fishes, that large quantities of the 

 roe is collected and sold, being employed in France and 

 Northern Spain as bait for the sardine fisheries. 



Uses. From the air-bladder or sounds isinglass may be 

 manufactured. The tongue, whether fresh or salted, is a 

 great delicacy, while from its liver is prepared an oil, first 

 employed as medicine in this country by Dr. Percival, in 

 1782. Irrespective of the foregoing, we are told that the 

 Norwegians give the head, along with marine plants, to 

 their cows, for the purpose of increasing the yield of milk. 

 Icelanders feed their cattle with its bones, as the inhabit- 

 ants of Kamtchatka do their dogs, while, after being well 

 dried, they are employed as fuel along the shores of the 

 Arctic Ocean. 



As food. The cod of our seas is in the best season from 

 October to the beginning of February, in the Firth of 

 Forth till the end of April, and in its greatest perfection 

 about Christmas, while those of a medium size are most 

 preferred for the table. It has been observed that such as 

 possess the deepest groove along the back of the head, the 

 largest belly, roundest form, especially near the tail and 

 sides, and appearing as if they were ribbed, are the most 

 superior for the table. In Cornwall those out of season, 

 and recognisable by their lanky form, are sure to be woolly 

 and watery ; they are locally known as " Churchyard 

 Cod," and may be seen exposed for sale as early as the 

 month of March. In Norfolk it was formerly considered 

 that the finest supplied to the market were those sent from 

 Sherringham, which were usually found to have been 



