220 THe Orrawa NATURALIST. [March 
‘(Tf great variations obtain regarding the naming or mis- 
naming of this fish, a corresponding diversity of opinion exists 
regarding its edible qualities. At a remote Hudson Bay post, in 
the Canadian Northwest, I found that the flesh was regarded as 
poisonous, indeed, cases of poisoning after Indians and employees 
of the post had eaten the fish were mentioned, and it was pointed 
out that even the dogs would not eat it. The dogs are usually 
fed on the excellent whitefish and decline being put off with in- 
ferior fare, and it is a fact pointed out by various explorers that 
the dogs of the Northwest, used in the dog-trains, refuse to eat 
the burbot. I found, however, at another Hudson Bay post, that 
the fish was often eaten and was regarded as most excellent, no 
ill effects having been noticed. Belonging as it does to the cod 
family, it should be an excellent fish for the table, like its near 
relatives the cod, haddock and hake. In one of the lakes of New 
York State (Lake Winnipiseogee) it is pronounced equal to the 
whitefish for table use, and the liver is generally considered a rare 
delicacy. . 
‘©Dr. Richardson ( Hauna Boreali-Americana ) is recorded ta 
have said that ‘ the flesh of the fresh-water cusk is firm, white and _ 
of good flavor ; the liver and roe are considered delicacies, when 
well bruised and mixed with a little flour, the roe can be baked 
into very good biscuits, used in the fur countries as tea bread.’ 
Professor Brown Goode spoke of it as a very excellent fish, espe- 
cially for boiling ; though Dr. T. H. Bean pointed out that apart 
from the liver, the fish is not esteemed in the Great Lake region 
and northward, but.in the rivers of Montana the burbot is in 
great favor.” 
Pennell states that the flesh of the English burbot is white 
and firm, and is considered superior in flavor to that of the eel. 
It has a very wide geographical distribution in the old world 
and on this continent. It has been recorded in Germany, Austria, 
Russia and other countries ; but it is of very local occurrence in 
the British Islands, being wholly absent from some rivers and 
plentiful in none. The belief prevails that it is decreasing in 
numbers and doomed to extinction. It does not appear to be 
+ Report of Department of Marine and Fisheries (Fisheries) 1900, p. lv. 
