FISHES. 41 



about the month of June draws near the shore in immense 

 shoals. As many as forty and fifty thousands are taken 

 at a single cast of the net, and when salted and cured 

 are sent to all parts of the world. The anchovy resem- 

 bles the sardine, forms also an article of commerce, and 

 is found on the coasts of France and England. 



THIRD ORDER. 

 MALACOPTERYGIANS, WITH PECTORAL FINS. 



This order is distinguished by the situation of the 

 ventral fins, which are placed beneath the pectoral. 



The Cods (gadus morrhua) have thin, soft scales; 

 naked heads ; the ventral fins, sharpened to a point, are 

 attached under the throat; they measure from two to 

 three feet, weigh about twenty pounds, and have a small 

 scirrus on the lower jaw. They are found in the ocean, 

 between the fortieth and sixtieth degrees of north lati- 

 tude, in fathomable waters, and feed on shell fish, worms, 

 crabs, herrings, etc. They cast their spawn in winter, 

 and the necessity of providing for their subsistence causes 

 them to approach the shore, where they are caught either 

 with hook and line, or in nets. Catching and preparing 

 Codfish are important branches of maritime industry ; 

 ships are fitted out for the sole purpose of taking them, 

 and so numerous are they in those northern waters, that 

 five and six thousand are captured in the space of two or 

 three weeks. 



These fish are prepared for preservation in three differ- 



