SUB-BRACHIAN MALACOPTERYGII. 153 



ORDER III. SUB-BRACHIAN* MALACOPTERYGII. 



THIS group contains those soft-finned fishes, whose 

 ventrals are situated beneath the pectorals, which 

 represent the fore limbs of mammals and birds. 

 The pelvis, also, is connected with the bones of 

 the shoulder. It is not a very numerous order, 

 but it comprises forms differing widely from each 

 other. 



FAM. I. GADID^E. 



This family is composed of the single extensive 

 genus of Linnaeus named Gadus, the Cod, but which 

 modern naturalists, following Cuvier, divide into 

 many. They are highly valued as human food, their 

 flesh being readily separated into broad flakes, easily 

 salted and dried, and whether fresh or cured, being 

 firm, white, wholesome, and agreeable : while, from 

 the astonishing fertility and gregarious habits of 

 some species, perhaps the most important fisheries in 

 the world may be the pursuit of this tribe. Their 

 distinctive marks are, the ventrals pointed and at- 

 tached to the throat ; the body longish, and covered 



* 5w6, under, and brachium^ the arm. 



H5 



