454 



VEUTEBUATA. 



TIjo (iiKliilii- nro active and cxci-fdiiiuly voracious fishes, feeding indiscriminately upon almost 

 all the smaller n.|iiatic animals. Varrcll states, that "thirty-five crabs, none less than the size 

 of u half-crown piece, have been taken from the stomach of one cod." They are nearly all 

 marine* their tlesh is exceedin<j;ly tirm and wcll-llavored ; and as many of the species occur in 

 theijrcatcst profusion, their importance in furnishing an ahundunt supply of agreeable and nutritious 

 fiMul to the human race is almost incalculable. These fishes are all taken by hook and line, 

 baited with common mollusca, such as limpets, whelks, etc., or with pieces offish. For the deep- 

 sea fishin"' long lines are usetl. Un the Jiritish coasts these are fixed to the bottom by means of 

 a small nnchor, the other end being supi)orted by a buoy, and the hooks are placed at the 

 extremities of short lines, usually about six feet in length, attached at intervals to the main line. 

 Tlie long lines are usually left for alxnit six hours, or for a whole tide, when they are taken up 

 and examined. In the interval the fishermen are not idle; they carry on the work of destruc- 

 tion bv meaTis of hand-lines, of which each man manages a pair. In this manner an immense 

 quantity of these and other valuable fish are taken on almost all parts of the British coasts. Nor 

 is the pui-suit of these important species less actively carried on in our American waters. The 

 p-catest cod-fisheries in the world are on the banks of Newfoundland, where large fleets, chiefly of 

 American, English and iM-ench vessels, are employed during the season. In spite of the enor- 

 mous consumption constantly going on, the numbers of these fish do not appear to decrease; and 

 this, perhaps, is the less to be wondered at, when we consider that the roe of a single cod has 

 been found to contain no fewer than nine millions of ova. Their general spawning time appears 

 to be the winter, or very early in the spring; they are full of roe and in the greatest perfection 

 during the early winter months. Cod-liver oil has of late years become an important article of 

 connnerce, being esteemed a valuable medicine in consumption. 



Genus MOKRIIUA: Morrhna. — Of this the most noted and valued species is the Common 

 Cod of Newfoundland, M. vahjaris. It is two to four feet long, and weighs from two to seventy 

 pounds ; the general color is greenish-brown above, and silvery-white beneath. It inhabits deep ' 

 water, and is often taken at the depth of thirty fathoms. It is common in the Northern Atlantic, 

 and is found on the European coasts from Spain to Norway, and on the American side from New 

 York to Greenland. It is abundant on the coasts of the British Islands, and is there taken in 

 innnense quantities; but, as we have before stated, the Banks of Newfoundland aff"ord the 

 most abundant supply. The markets of Europe and America are constantly supplied with these 

 fishes in the fresh state, but the greater number are salted and dried, and are distributed to 

 nearly every part of the world. In this country they are sent throughout the vast interior, not 

 merely to the cities and larger towns, but to the villages and settlements on the very frontiers of 

 civilization. In the remote districts, where there is a surfeit of venison, wild turkeys, and grouse, 

 dried codfish rises to the dignity of a cherished luxury ; especially do the emigrants from New 

 England, early accustomed to this food but now exiled to the regions of the Far West, sit down 

 to their dish of boiled cod and potatoes, and wonder that they could ever have left the land flowing 

 with such milk and honey as this. 



The liocK-Cou, M. Americana — the Netv York Cod of De Kay — equals the preceding in size ; 

 Dr. Storer mentions one of the immense weight of one hundred and seven pounds. It varies 

 greatly in color, but in general resembles the common cod. It occurs on our coast during the whole 



year, going to deep water in the spring. 

 ■ ^^^ The Poor or Power Cod, M. minuta, 



is four to eight inches long; common in ; 



Europe, but rare on our coast. 



The ToM-CoD, M. pruinosa, is four to | 



twelve inches long; found from New 



York northwardly. It is very abundant i 



in autumn from the time of the first 



i 



frost, and hence is called Frost-Fish. 1 

 The Dorse or Variable Cod, M. callarias, is from one to two feet long ; varies greatly in ; 

 color ; is common in the Baltic ; also found occasionally on the British coasts. 



THE POOR COD. 



