432 SOFT-FINNED GROUP. 



dorsal being divided into two moieties. More or less elongate and subcyclindrical 

 in form, the body is covered with small cycloid scales ; there are either one, two, 

 or three dorsal fins, occupying nearly the entire length of the back, the rays of 

 the hindmost being well developed ; the anal is either single or divided ; and the 

 jugular pelvic fins are usually formed of several rays, but if reduced to filaments 

 there is always a double dorsal. The gill-opening is wide, and the gill-membrane in 



HADDOCK, WHITING, AND YOUNG AND ADULT COD (£ nat. size). 



most instances not attached to the isthmus ; while if false gills are present at all 

 they are either glandular or rudimental. As a rule, there is an air-bladder. 

 Mostly marine, the members of the cod family are mainly characteristic of the 

 Arctic and Temperate seas, where they are comparatively shallow- water fishes. 

 There are, however, a certain number of deep-water types among the family, and 

 these have a much more extensive distribution, some of them occurring in the 

 tropical Indian seas. The fresh-water forms are limited to two or three. Although 

 the flesh of the cod tribe is by no means remarkable for its delicacy or flavour, 



