SUBBRACHIAN MALACOPTERYGIANS. 209 



stomach forms a strong and large sac, the caeca are very numerous, and 

 the intestine is long. The natatory bladder is large, with strong parietes, 

 and frequently dentated on the sides. 



The greater number of these fishes inhabit cold or temperate seas, and 

 constitute the object of important fisheries (a). Their white flesh, easily 

 separated in layers, is generally esteemed as light, wholesome, and sapid. 

 They may be subdivided as follows: — 



Morrhua, Cuv. 



Three dorsal fins and two anals ; a cirrus at the point of the lower jaw ; 

 they are very numerous. 



Gadus morrhua, L., Bl. 64*. (The true Morue or Cabeliau. 

 The Cod). From two to three feet long; back spotted with yellow- 

 ish and brown; it inhabits the whole Northern Ocean, and multi- 

 plies so excessively (b) in north latitudes, that whole fleets are an- 

 nually dispatched to capture it. The fresh Cod is termed in France 

 Cabeliau, from its Dutch name. 



Gadus ceylefinus, L. ; Bl. 62. (The Egrefin. The Haddock). 

 The back brown, belly silvery, and lateral line black; a blackish 

 spot behind the pectoral: quite as numerous in northern latitudes as 

 the cod, but not so agreeable in taste "j". When salted, it is here 

 called Hadon, from its English name Haddock. 



Gadus callarias, L. ; Bl. 63 %; the Faux Merlan of the Paris 

 market. (The Dorse). Spotted like the Cod, but generally much 

 smaller, and the upper jaw longer than the other. The best of the 

 genus when eaten fresh, and in great request on the coast of the 

 Baltic §. 



* Belon is of opinion that morrhue is derived from merwel, a name which he says 

 is English; it is not to be found, however, among the modern authors of that nation 

 — they call it Cod or Cod-fish. 



f Egrrjrn, or rather Eaglefin, according to Belon and Rondelet, was its antient 

 English name. It is the Scheljisch of Anderson, the Germans, Dutch, Danes, &c. 



% Dorsch, the name of this fish on the coast of the Baltic. Callarias, Galarias, Sec, 

 were undetermined antient names which were certainly not applicable to a fish fo- 

 reign to the Mediterranean. 



§ Add, the Tomcod (G. tomcodus, Mitch.); — the Tacaud, Gode, Mollet (G. barbalus, 

 Bl. 166); — the Capelan (G. minutus, Bl. 07, 1); — the Wachnia (G. macrncephalus, 

 Tiles.) Act of Petersb. II, pi. xvi; — Gadus gracilis, Id. lb., pi. xviii; — the Saida (Gad. 

 saida, Lepechin), Nov. Com., Petrop. XVIII, p. v, f. 1, copied Encyclop., f. 360; — 

 the Bib {Gad. htscus, Penn.), cop. Encyc. 102; — Gad. blenno'ides, Pann., copied En- 

 cyclop. 363. 



ggfT (a) The great Sand-bank of Newfoundland is the most famous of the Cod- 

 fisheries in the world, and is resorted to by our fishermen every season for this fish. 

 It is taken with the hook, and it is said to have reported to this locality in conse- 

 quence of the greatest quantities of its food, muscles and clams being found. — Eno. 

 Ed. 



ggf (b) The Cod produces the most of the whole class of fishes; nearly four mil- 

 lions of ova (each of which becomes a cod) are spawned by each of these fishes. — 

 Eng. Ed. 



vol. II. p 



