'JIG PISCES. 



FAMILY I. 



GADITES. 



THE Cud family is almost wholly composed of the great genus. 

 GAUUS, Linnceus. 



Recognised by the ventrals, which are pointed and attached to the throat . 

 The body is moderately elongated, slightly compressed, 

 and covered with rather small and soft scales ; the head 

 is well proportioned, but without scales ; all the fins are 

 soft; the jaws and front of the vomer armed with 

 pointed, unequal, moderate or small teeth, disposed in 

 several rows, and resembling a card or rasp ; the 

 branchia? are large, and have seven rays. Most of the 

 genus have two or three fins on the backhand a distinct 

 caudal. The stomach forms a strong and large sac. The natatory bladder is 

 large, strong, and frequently dentated on the sides. 



The greater number of these fishes inhabit cold or temperate seas, and con- 

 stitute the object of important fisheries. Their white flesh, easily separated 

 in layers, is generally esteemed as light, wholesome, and sapid. They are sub- 

 divided into several subgenera. In Morrhua, we have 



Gadus morrhua, Lin. (The Cod.) From two to three feet long ; back spotted 

 with yellowish and brown : it inhabits the whole Northern Ocean, and multi- 

 plies so excessively in north latitudes, that whole fleets are annually employed 

 in the fishery. 



Gadus ceglefinus, Lin. (The Haddock.) The back brown, belly silvery, and 

 lateral line black ; a blackish spot behind the pectoral ; quite as numerous in 

 northern latitudes as the Cod, but not so much esteemed. 



In the subgenera of Gadus we find the Whiting, Hake, Ling, &c. 



FAMILY II. 

 PLANI. 



THE second family of the Malacopterygii Subrachiati, commonly called Flat- 

 fishes, comprises the great genus 



PLEURONECTES, Linnaeus *. 

 These fishes present a character, which, with respect to vertebrated animals, 



* Pleuronfctes, a name formed by Artedi,from irAti-po the flank, and I^JKTTJJ a swimmer, 

 because they swim on the side. The ancients gave them different names according to the 

 ipecics, such as Passer, Rhombus. Bwjlosta, &c. 



