THE WHITING. 



61 



Thompson weighing as much as twenty-five pounds. They are found all round the shores of Britain, 

 but are most abundant on the east coast. Occasionally from some unknown cause the whole surface of 

 the sea is found covered with dead Haddocks. When kept in confinement in the salt water preserves 

 of Scotland the Haddock becomes so tame as to take limpets from the hand. The dark patches on the 

 shoulders are popularly attributed to the impression which St. Peter left upon it with his finger and 

 thumb when the tribute money was taken from its mouth, the mark having been continued ever 

 since the miracle to the whole race of Haddocks ; but unfortunately for this explanation the Haddock 

 does not exist in the sea of the country where the miracle was performed. The upper parts of the 

 body are of a dull greyish-white, and the white belly is slightly mottled with grey. 



The Whiting Pout (Gadus hiscus), and the Power Cod (Gadus minutus) are species well known 

 on the British coasts. 



THE WHITING (Gadus merlangus}. 



The Whiting is met with in all the coasts of Northern Europe, and is caught in great abun- 

 dance about British shores, especially in the West of England and South of Ireland, but becomes 

 rarer in the far North of Scotland. It is less gregarious than other species of its genus, except 

 towards spawning time, in spring, when it assembles in schools. The species is fished for nearly all 

 the year round, for the fish are much less exhausted by spawning than the Cod. They are taken in the 

 largest numbers in January and February, when they approach within half a mile of shore, and 

 seldom extend farther than three miles from land. The usual size is from twelve to sixteen inches, 

 when the fish weighs from a pound to a pound and a half ; but specimens occasionally reach the 

 market which weigh as much as three or four pounds. Whiting prefer sandy bays, but as they feed 

 greedily on the fry of other fishes, they often follow them for considerable distances. They are 

 caught with the line, baited with the common mussel, or a slice of cuttle-fish. Fishing is most 

 successful in the early morning and in the evening. Couch mentions as an example of the voracity 

 of the fish, that four full-grown Pilchards were taken from the stomach of a Whiting that weighed 

 four pounds. This species is 

 especially esteemed for food 

 for the ease with which it is 

 digested ; but as it keeps but 

 a short time, large quantities 

 are salted and dried. The 

 demand for the dried fish, 

 which are often stained yellow 

 with an infusion of turmeric, 

 chiefly comes from the Con- 

 tinent. The body of the 

 Whiting is longer for its 

 depth than that of the Cod. 

 The colour on the back is 

 a dark yellowish tinge, but 

 the sides are paler, and the 

 belly silver-white. There is 

 no barbel under the jaw ; the WHITING. 



vent is below the middle of 



the first dorsal fin. There is a black spot at the axilla or root of the pectoral fin. The depth of 

 the body is usually less than the length of the head. The upper jaw is longer than the lower jaw. 



Among the other British species of Gadus are the Gadus poittassou, usually known as Couch's 

 Whiting, which differs from the Common Whiting in its more slender shape. The Pollack (Gadus 

 pollachius) has the lower jaw longer than the upper jaw. A singular instance of the pertinacity 

 of this fish in pursuit of prey is given by Couch on the authority of Mr. Peach : "A small Whiting 

 was observed to have taken shelter within the cavity of a Medusa (Cyanea aurita), but this action 

 was observed by a young Pollack about five inches long, which immediately began an attack. The 

 little Whiting easily evaded the attacks by dodging round its friend, but the pursuer was soon joined 



