28 



smallness or absence of the pectorals. Bui as there is a regular gra- 

 dation from species with large pectorals to those withoul any, this 

 character is scarcely definite. In Oynicoglossus the pectorals are very 

 small. 



KAM. GADID.E — COD AND WHITING, ETC. 



The < radidae are spineless fishes with cycloid or smooth scales, and 

 usually with more than one dorsal and more than one anal fin, in 

 economic importance this family ranks next to the salmon family, 

 but it is only represented on the Pacific coast, U. 8. A., by four 

 species. 



Gadus morrhua, Codfish — Although this fish does not belong to 

 the fauna of California, and is not common even at the northern 

 extremity of the Pacific coast of the United States proper, its eco- 

 nomic importance renders it necessary to include it in this report. 

 Dr. Bean, whose mission it has been to investigate the fishes of 

 Alaska, believes the codfish of Alaska identical with Gadus morrhua, 

 the common codfish of the banks of Newfoundland, and the adjacent 

 regions; for the Alaskan cod is not a rock-cod (Sebastichthys), as are 

 the so-called cod caught in California, nor is it even a hake, pollack, 

 or whiting; but it is a true codfish, having three separate dorsal fins, 

 two separate anal fins, and a small barbel under the chin. 



It seems strange that such fishes as the species of Sebastichthys, 

 possessed of rough or ctenoid scales, a spinous dorsal, three spines 

 upon the anal fin, and numerous more or less developed spines on 

 the head, should ever be popularly confounded with fishes like the 

 true cod, which have not a spine upon body, head, or fins, and the 

 scales of which are smooth or cycloid. Yet the confusion exists, and 

 the names of cod and rock-cod, applied to the spiny fishes aforesaid, 

 are the result of the confusion, and in their turn serve to perpet- 

 uate it. 



Whether the cod-fish brought from the Sea of Okhotsh are of the 

 same species as those from Alaska, remains to be proved. 



Compared with the fishery of the Atlantic, that carried on upon 

 this coast is comparatively insignificant, yet this does not arise from 

 any scarcity of the fish, which is stated to abound among the numer- 

 ous islands of the northwest coast, but from the want of a market 

 sufficiently extensive to permit of its increase. The expense of trans- 

 continental freight, and the smallness of the population between the 

 Sierra Nevada and the Rocky Mountains practically limits the mar- 

 ket to the Pacific States, although small quantities have been sent to 

 South America, and some have been shipped to Australia. 



The fishery was commenced about sixteen years ago, and at that 

 date the salted fish sold at nine cents per pound. At the present 

 time the best case cod is quoted at from three and a half to four cents 

 per pound. 



The total catch brought to San Francisco, amounted, in 1878, to 

 about 1,500 tons, in 1879 to 1,800 tons. Thirteen or more vessels, 

 large and small, are engaged in the trade, which furnishes employ- 

 ment, on an average, to about two hundred and fifty hands. The 

 largest vessels are barks of about 350 tons, each having a crew of 

 thirty men. The larger vessels are principally employed in the 

 Okhotsh Sea fishery, while the smaller vessels, fore and aft rigged, 

 are sent to the shores of Alaska, principally to the Choumagin 

 Islands. 



