162 GADID^. 



exceeding six or seven inches in length, and therefore com- 

 paratively of little value, was first described as an English 

 fish by Dr. Jago, of Cornwall, and was introduced by Ray 

 at the end of his Synopsis^ with a figure which particularly 

 exhibits the specific distinctions afforded by the form and 

 situation of the fins, which has been already adverted to, and 

 by which it may be immediately recognised. 



Bloch says that the appearance of this fish in the Baltic is 

 a source of pleasure to the fishermen. It is called the fish- 

 conductor ; and excites great hopes of a rich harvest among 

 the larger species of the genus, the Cod, and others, which 

 follow in the rear, preying relentlessly on their more diminu- 

 tive generic companions : the fishermen in their turn prey 

 upon them. 



Mr. Couch says it frequents the edges of rocks, is caught 

 by the hook, and, though always good for the table, is, on 

 account of its small size, chiefly used for bait. Montagu 

 says it is taken frequently on the Devonshire coast with the 

 hook, and also in the crab-pots. In the nets worked on that 

 coast it is caught along with the Bib, the fishermen selling 

 both as Whiting Pout. 



The length of the head compared to the whole length of 

 the fish is as one to five ; the depth of the body rather more 

 than the length of the head : the first dorsal fin begins be- 

 hind the line of the origin of the pectorals : the longest ray 

 as long as the base of the fin: the second dorsal fin begins 

 and ends on the same planes with the first anal fin ; the base 

 of the second dorsal fin as long again as the base of the first 

 dorsal fin ; the base of the third dorsal fin rather more than 

 half as long as that of the second dorsal ; the third dorsal and 

 the second anal fins begin and end on the same planes, and 

 the peculiarity of their forms has been referred to. The 

 vent, or anal aperture, is in a line under the most posterior 



