FAMILY GADID^ MORRHUA. 277 



THE POWER COD. 



MORRHOA MINDTA. 



PLATE XLIV. FIG. 141. 



Gadus minutus. LlNNEirs, 



M. mimita. Yarrel, British Fishes, Vol. 2, p. ICl, plate. 



The Poor or Pou'tT Cod, MorrMta vtmuta. Storek, Zool. Massachusetts, p. 127. 



Charactaristtcs. Small. Nose blunt. First dorsal scarcely highef than the second, which is 

 emarginate. Origin of the first dorsal under the commencement of the 

 second dorsal. Caudal emarginate. Length 4 to 8 inches. 



Description. Body cylindrical, fusiform. Upper jaw longest ; both armed with numerous 

 small teeth. The barbel from the symphisis of the chin, 0*2 long. Lateral line curved 

 above the pectoral ; and under the anterior portion of the middle dorsal, goes off straight. A 

 series of mucous pores from the end of the snout to beneath the eyes. Scales very minute. 



The first dorsal triangular, and composed of twelve rays, of which the first is longest. 

 Second dorsal above the first anal ; the twelfth, thirteenth and fourteenth rays sensibly shorter, 

 making an excavated margin ; the third dorsal longer than high. Pectorals pointed, 1*0 long. 

 Ventrals beneath the pectorals, with the long second ray free at the tip. First anal commences 

 under the origin of the second dorsal ; the second anal is opposed to, and contains the same 

 number of rays with, the third dorsal. Caudal broadly emarginate. 



Color. Brownish yellow above ; abdomen soiled white, with numerous minute points. 



Length, 8-0. 



Fin rays, D. 12.19.17; P. 17; V. 6 ; A. 22.17; C. 20. 



This is a rare species on our coast. I only know it through the description of Dr. Storer, 

 although I think I saw it some years since in the market. At that time, I supposed it might 

 be the M. pruinosa, var. fusca, of Dr. Mitchill ; but I have now little doubt but that it was 

 the species just described. 



