ICHTHYOLOGY. 49 



Q. Is this extraordinary faculty useful to the 

 animal ? 



A. Yes ; it is by this extraordinary faculty that 

 the Gymnotus supports its existence ; the small 

 fishes and other animals that happen to approach 

 it, being instantly stupified, and thus rendered an 

 easy prey. 



Q. What is the most interesting genus of the 

 Soft Finned Jugular fish ? 



A. Of the Soft Finned Jugular fish, the Gadus, 

 or Cod, is the most interesting genus ; it contains 

 seventeen species, five of which we shall describe. 

 1. Gadus Morhua ; 2. Gadus ^glefinus; 3. Gadus 

 Merlangus $ 4. Gadus Merluccius ; 5. Gadus 

 Molva. 



Q. Describe Gadus Morhua. 



A. Gadus Morhua, or the common Cod, is an 

 exceedingly valuable fish, chiefly inhabiting the 

 northern seas, but migrating towards the south at 

 stated periods. It is sometimes found very large, 

 but its usual weight is from about fourteen to forty 

 pounds ; the colour of the back is cinereous *, the 

 belly silvery. 



Q. What is the usual food of this species ? 



A. The Cod is very voracious, and will feed on 

 almost any edible substance, small fish, worms, 



* Of the colour of ashes. 

 Edible, a. that may be eateo. 



