WHITING. 167 



nearly equal size on the coast of Cornwall ; and on the 

 Nymph Bank, along the extended line of the south coast 

 of Ireland. In that country they have also been found 

 on the eastern coast from Waterford to Antrim, and from 

 thence north and west as far as Lough Foyle. 



The fishing for Whiting with lines is pursued nearly all 

 the year through ; but the fish is most plentiful in the 

 months of January and February, when it comes in large 

 shoals towards the shore for the purpose of depositing its 

 spawn, and is taken in abundance within half a mile, and 

 seldom exceeding three miles, from land. A much larger 

 quantity than is consumed while fresh being frequently 

 taken, a portion is easily preserved either by salting or 

 drying. 



The Whiting is a voracious feeder, and seizes indiscrimi- 

 nately any of the mollusca, worms, small Crustacea, and 

 young fishes. I remember to have taken several Sprats 

 from the stomach of a Whiting ; and Mr. Couch has known 

 four full-grown Pilchards taken from the inside of a Whiting 

 that weighed four pounds. It appears to prefer sandy banks, 

 but shifts its ground frequently in pursuit of the various fry 

 of other fishes, upon which it principally subsists. 



Though occasionally occurring in the London market of 

 three or four pounds' weight, the most usual size is from 

 twelve to sixteen inches in length, and weighing about one 

 pound and a half. 



The length of the head compared to that of the body 

 alone is as one to three ; the depth of the body not equal to 

 the length of the head, or compared to the whole length as 

 one to six. The first dorsal begins behind the line of the 

 origin of the pectorals and before the line of the vent ; the 

 second dorsal and first anal fins end on the same line ; the 

 third dorsal and second anal fins beffin and end on the same 



