195 DIVISION I. VERTEBRAL ANIMALS.— CLASS IV. PISCES. 
fish from the head to the caudal rays, was believed by the Norsemen to be 
the finger-marks of the god. 
M. Tomcodus. —The Tomeod. This favorite species is found in all the 
streams, ponds, and creeks of this country. Angling for this fish is a prime 
amusement with our youth in winter, when it is taken with the hook through 
holes in the ice. At other times, it is caught with scoop-nets. It is about 
a foot long, of very variable colors, generally brown, yellowish-brown, 
greenish, with darker splashes and spots; lighter on the belly. 
Meriancus. —The generic characteristics are the same as those of the 
Morrhua, with the exception of the cirri. 
M. Merlangus. —The Whiting. This species is about a foot in length, 
of a pale reddish-gray above, and silvery below. Its flesh is light and 
wholesome. 
M. Carbonarius. —The Coal-fish. This fish is two or three times the size 
of the Whiting. Its color is blackish-brown above ; below the lateral line, 
which is straight, the body is of a bluish-white ; the belly lighter than the 
sides. The flesh of the full-grown Coal-fish is coarse and tough, but will 
take salt, like the cod. 
M. Polachius. —The Pollock. The Pollock, in its dried state, is a 
well-known fish, and is esteemed by many above the cod. Its color is 
ereenish-brown above, lighter on the sides, and white on the belly. The 
sides are often spotted. It is about two feet in length. 
Mervtucrus. — This genus is characterized by a flattened head, an elon- 
gated body, two dorsal fins, the first short, the second long; and one 
anal fin, also very lone. 
M. Vulgaris. —The Hake. This fish is quite as well known as the Pol- 
lock. It abounds in all parts of the Atlantic. It has no barbule, and the 
first dorsal fin is pointed. It sometimes exceeds two feet in length, and is 
of a brownish-gray color. It is captured in considerable quantities, and is 
cured like the cod, but the flesh is coarse. 
Lora. — The Ling, i. e., Long-fish, has two dorsals, one anal fin, and 
cirri at the mouth. LZ. molva attains a length of from three to four feet, 
and is said to be not inferior to the cod. The dorsals are equally high, the 
lower jaw is a little shorter than the upper, and adorned with a cirrus. 
The color is olive above, and silvery beneath. . 
L. Lota. — The Burbot is from one to two feet long, has the dorsals of 
equal height, and one cirrus. The head is considerably depressed, and the 
body is eylindrical, of a yellow color, mottled with brown. This species 
ascends rivers, and its flesh is highly valued. . 
LL. Compressa (Kel Pout).—This small specimen was found in the 
Connecticut River, and differs from the Burbot in nothing but size, being 
but six inches in length. 
