Fishes of Massachusetts. 465 
In two specimens, the rays were as follows: 
D. 14-22-21; P. 20; V.6; A. 22-21; C. 40. 
D. 14-19-18; P. 16; V. 6; A. 24-16; C. 36. 
Meruvcivs. Cuv. 
Generic characters. The head flattened ; the body 
elongated ; the back furnished with two dorsal fins ; 
the first short, the second long; but one anal fin, 
also very long ; no barbule at the chin. 
M. vulgaris. Cuv. The Hake. 
Pennant’s British Zoology, vol. iii. p. 168. 
Trans. Lit. et Philosoph. Soc. N. Y. vol. i. p. 371. 
Me Murtrie’s Cuv. vol. ii. p. 245. 
Yarrell's British Fishes, vol. ii. p. 177. 
Strack's plates, 28. 1. 
This fish is generally known by the fishermen of 
Massachusetts as the “ Whiting." It is not a little 
singular, that while our species is really the ** Eu- 
ropean Hake,” the “Phycis Americanus," “ Cod- 
ling,” is called with us “old English Hake;" and 
the * Hake" itself is called the “ Whiting," which 
isa “ Merlangus.” This species is taken, not how- 
ever, in large quantities, in our bay, in the summer, 
upon the cod fishery grounds. When perfectly 
fresh, it is very sweet and palatable, but so soon 
becomes soft, that it is kept with great difficulty, 
and on this account is not much valued. 
The good specimen on my table was sent me by 
Dr. Yale. Length fifteen inches ; depth of the body 
VOL. IIL.—NO. II—IV. 41 
