COD-FISH. 179 



another in Belfast market of the same form, but of the reddish colour of 

 the rock-cod. These specimens are preserved in the Belfast Museum. 



A beautifully-marked example of the cod, of large size, also came under 

 my inspection here. It was of a pale lilac grey colour, closely studded 

 over with large reddish grey spots, which were as close as I have ever 

 seen them in any species of trout. 



Pennant gives a full historical account of the cod-fish, and Yarrell treats 

 of it amply. 



The Dorse, or Variable Cod, Gadus Callarias, Linn., 



3Iorrhua — Cuv., 



Has been taken on the coasts of Antrim and Cork, as stated in the fol- 

 lowing note, which I contributed to the Annals of Nat. Hist. vol. i. p. 358 : — 



" Gadus Callarias, Linn. Dorse. — An examination of the fishes before- 

 mentioned as taken on the coast of Cork, and forwarded for my inspection by Dr. 

 R. Ball, enables me to restore this species with certainty to the place it once 

 held in the British Fauna. Two small specimens thus received are in length re- 

 spectivelv S^ and 6 inches ; in the latter the number of fin-rays are, D. 14, 18, 

 ]8; A. 'iO, 17 ; P. 18; V. 6 ; C. 24.— Br. 7. In both individuals the 1st and 

 2nd rays of the ventral fin are produced in slender filaments, of which the 

 second is the longer ; eyes invested with a membrane as in G. luscus, &c. ; 

 head to entire length as 1 to 3 in the larger, as 1 to 3-^ in the smaller specimen; 

 no pores visible about the mouth as in G. minittus. In other characters these 

 individuals agree with the G. Callarias as described by Bloch and Nilsson. 

 They were taken in sprat-nets at Youghal in the autumn of 1834, when a third 

 specimen also occurred. 



" Subsequently I had the satisfaction of recognising a G. Callarias among some 

 native fishes presented by Mr. Wm. Marshall (Memb. Nat. Hist. Society) to the 

 Belfast Museum without regard to species. Upon inquiry, I learned from this gen- 

 tleman that it had been captured by himself when fishing in the month of June 

 or July, about the entrance to Larne Lough, County of Antrim, and using the 

 lug- worm {Lumbricus marinus) for bait. Its length is 8 inches. We thus find 

 that the species occurs both on the North and South shores of Ireland." — 

 Annals Nat. History, vol. i. 



Having given little attention to the subject since the publication of 

 the foregoing notice of this fish, I have nothing particular to add respect- 

 ing it ; but as no other Britisli naturalist seems to have noticed the species 

 of late years, I may mention that it attracted the attention of Dr. R. Ball, 

 who, in sending me a number of fishes from Youghal, and not having 

 leisure himself to attend to the matter, asked -what the two specimens 

 already referred to were, distinguishing them from the other G<hU at first 

 sight. 



The Haddock, Gadus ^^(jiefinus, Linn., 

 Morrhiia — Cuv., 



Is common around the coast, but the numbers seem to vary much in the 

 same localities. Dublin Bay has long been famous for its haddock, and in 

 Belfast market this fish is estimated more highly than the cod, the price 

 being generally Ad., very rarely under Sc/., per lb. It is considered to be 

 in season from Novcm1)er to April. The largest haddock of which I have 

 any well-authenticated notes were, one taken at Groomsport, County Down, 

 which Mr. Meenan weiglicd, and found to be 25 lbs. ; and one taken in 

 Dublin Bay in August, 1851, which, as stated by Dr. Ball, weighed 18 lbs. 

 In Belfast Bay they are occasionally found, and Mr. B. ^Icenan informs 

 me that he obtained one from 18 to 20 lbs. At Killough (County 

 Down), where the numbers taken are very great and the fish of excellent 



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