32 THE WHITING. 



green on the back, and of a rounder form of body generally 

 than the preceding classes. This fish is more abundant on the 

 northern than on our southern shores, although found every- 

 where. It is numerous and large in Norway and North 

 America. 



The common or Silver Whiting (Merlangus vulgaris) 

 abounds upon our coasts, where the bottom is sufficiently soft 

 or oozy for the abode of the worms on which it is supposed to 

 feed, and sometimes grows to four or five pounds in weight, 

 but is usually much smaller. The finest run of Whiting I 

 have seen have been caught on the southern coasts of Devon 

 and Cornwall, in the fall of the year, the average size of which 

 certainly is not more than two pounds in weight. It is true 

 that numbers of a much larger size are taken, but they must be 

 regarded as above the average. 



In early summer the fish are much smaller than at the 

 latter part of the year, when, after having enjoyed their summer's 

 food, they are in the best condition for the table, being light and 

 nutritious. 



The depth of water in which the greater part of the Whiting 

 are caught near Plymouth is from 28 to 32 fathoms, and 

 between the distances of from 2\ to 6 miles from the shore ; 

 that is to say, between the Eddystone and the Rame Head, 

 the westernmost headland of Plymouth Sound. They are by 

 no means confined to these limits, as both east and west of 

 this great quantities are taken, as well as over nearly the whole 

 circuit of our coasts ; and, as the season advances, they 

 approach the shore to within i and i-| mile, and small sections 

 enter the different bays along the coast, and the deep water 

 harbours of Plymouth and Falmouth &c., and proceed up 

 some miles, there being, on the average, 10 or 12 fathoms' 

 water at a considerable distance up these arms of the sea ; 

 this, however, is not the case with the main body of the fish, 

 which remains in the deep water, for in 30 fathoms Whiting 

 may be taken nearly the whole year round in the English 

 Channel. 



In moderate depths of water at the distance of one or two 

 miles from the shore, Whiting are rarely to be taken in any 



