BONY FISHES. ORDER II. MALACOPTERYGII SUB-BRACIIIATI. 199 
Brosnivus. — An elongated body, one dorsal, extending the whole leneth 
of the back, fleshy ventral fins, and one barbule at the chin, are the distin- 
guishing marks of the genus. 
B. Vulgaris. —The Cusk. This species is common in the Atlantic, and 
is about two feet in length. Color of the body an uniform dark slate ; 
head rather darker than the body. Head one fifth the length of the body ; 
width of the body, across the commencement of the anal fin, exclusive of 
the dorsal fin, equal to one sixth the length of the specimen ; width of the 
head, across the posterior angle of the operculum, equal to two thirds its 
length ; the scales on the head present a peculiarly corrugated appearance. 
Mouth large. Jaws filled with sharp, recurved teeth. Upper jaw slightly 
longer than the lower. A single barbule under the chin. In the spring 
of the year it is not unfrequently met with in the Boston market, and 
does not sell as readily as the cod; in the winter season it is rare, and then 
sells readily for double the prices of that species. By many, as a fresh fish, 
it is considered quite a delicacy, and when salted, is thought preferable to 
the cod. 
The liver of this species contains a large quantity of oil, which is some- 
times preserved by the fishermen, who consider it an excellent application to 
a burned surface. 
Puycts. — This genus has a single ray in each ventral, which is produced 
and forked; two dorsal fins, the first shorter than the second; and one bar- 
bule on the chin. 
P. Americanus. — The Codling, or American Hake. This species often 
attains a length of three feet. The upper part of the body is grayish-brown, 
the belly lighter. They are taken chiefly at night, with the hook. The 
fishermen call it (erroneously) the “Old England Hake.” It abounds in 
the vicinity of Cape Ann. I have found it served up on the tables of the 
Pavilion House, at Gloucester, and of the Pigeon Cove House, Rockport, 
Mass., and can testify to its excellence. Corned and broiled, it is a popular 
item in the breakfast bill of fare. 
Prevronectip®. Second Family of the  Malacopterygii sub- 
brachiata. 
“These are all included in the great genus Plewronectes, which have a 
character quite unique among vertebrated animals; this consists in the want 
of symmetry in the head. An animal is said to be symmetrical when it is 
supposed to be divided in a mesial plane, or plane exactly along the middle, 
in a vertical direction, —the two sides being the exact counterparts of cach 
other, and differing in nothing but in the one being turned to the right, and 
the other to the left. These fishes have both eyes on one side, and this side 
