160 



GADIDJE. 



the tail long, the end of the rays nearly square. The num- 

 ber of fin-rays : 



D. 11. 20. 16. : P. 18 : V. 6 : A. 33. 19. : C. 21. Vertebra 48. 



In the tails of the fishes of this family there are many 

 short rays which are not counted, being outside the longest 

 ray above and below. 



In form the Whiting Pout is the deepest for its length of 

 the British Gadidce : the upper jaw is the longest ; the band 

 of teeth of several rows, those forming the outer row the 

 largest ; under jaw with a single row ; the barbule at the chin 

 rather long ; various mucous pores about both jaws : the eyes 

 large ; the orbits covered with a loose membrane which the 

 fish has the power of distending ; the diameter of the eye 

 equal to one-third of the length of the head ; the irides 

 orange colour : the dorsal and abdominal lines exhibit con- 

 siderable convexity ; the body tapers rapidly from the line of 

 the ending of the second dorsal and first anal fins : the colour 

 of the head, back, and upper part of the sides, a yellow 

 reddish brown, becoming lighter on the belly, and tinged in 

 places with bluish grey ; at the base of the pectoral fins a 

 black spot : scales small and deciduous : posterior half of the 

 lateral line straight, then rising in a curve over the pectoral 

 fin ; all the fins, except the ventrals, dusky brown ; the ven- 

 trals nearly white ; the first anal fin in large-sized specimens 

 edged with fine blue. 



