THE COD. 143 



we consider the thoiisands to wliom the capture 

 and ciu-ing of this fish afford employment, and 

 the extent of its sale, both fresh and salted, 

 within the British islands alone, we cannot 

 help ranking it amongst the most important of 

 the productions of the sea, which an all-wise 

 Creator has appointed for the benefit oT the 

 human race. 



We shall not attempt to enumerate various 

 stations along the coasts of Scotland, England, 

 and Ireland, where the cod-fishery is carried 

 on. Formerly the London market was sup- 

 plied from Scotland and the Doggerbank, but 

 within the last few years numbers have been 

 procured from the coasts of Lincolnshire, Nor- 

 folk. Suffolk, and even Essex. 



The cod is a ravenous fish, inhabiting deep 

 water, varying from twenty to forty -five 

 fathoms, where sand-banks afford a favourable 

 feeding-ground. In such situations there is an 

 assemblage not only of cod, but of other white 

 fish, the stronger making the weaker their 

 prey. Besides fish, crabs and testaceous mol- 

 lusks are the food of the cod, and numbers of 

 these are often taken from its stomach. As the 

 cod keeps to the ground at the bottom of a deep 

 sea, nets are not employed in its fishery, but 

 hooks and lines, variously arranged on different 



