THE COAL-FISH. 183 



The Pollack, Whiting Pollack, or Lythe, 

 Merlatu/us PoUachms, Cuv., 



Is a common species around the coast. 



The largest example seen by myself was brought to Belfast market in 

 Nov. 1836. It was 2 feet 9 inches in length, and weighed about 12 lbs. 

 In its mouth was a large specimen of Sertiilariafalcata. I have heard of 

 individuals Aveighing 20 lbs. being captured in Larne Lough, where the 

 species is very abundant. 



As an article of food the pollack is considered superior to the coal-fish ; 

 but both of these fishes are sold at a very low price. 



Mr. M'Calla informed me that on the Galway coast small fresh-water 

 eels, ingeniously fastened on the hooks, are use as bait for the pollack. 



The Coal-Fisii, Merlangus Carbonariiis, Cuv., 



Is one of the most common fishes around the coast. 



Its provincial names are more numerous than those of any other of our 

 native species. At Portaferry (Co. Down) it passes under four names : 

 the fry are called Gilpins ; next size Blockan ; then Greylord: and to 

 very large fish the term Glaalian is applied.* In some parts of the South 

 and West it is called Black Pollack and Glassin. 



In the season I have seen this fish angled for by boys from the quays 

 wherever I have been around the coast, and generally taken in abund- 

 ance. It is rarely eaten but by the poorer people. 



The late Mr. Nimmo, jun., of Iloundstone, informed me that in 4 or o 

 hours he has caught 1000 of these fish there, from ^ lb. to 1 lb. in weight, 

 of which size he considered them better for the table (being firmer) than 

 larger fish. 



M'Calla states that the terms used at Roundstone, of Glossan and 

 3Ioidroush, apply to the coal-fish in different stages of growth, and that 

 coal-fish is applied to the full-grown fish. 



In Belfast Bay a few la>r/e examples of this fish are not unfrequently 

 taken in mullet nets, in the spring of the year. I have seen them of 25 

 and 30 lbs. so taken. The largest specimen taken in Belfast Bay, of which 

 I ascertained the weight, was 32 lbs. ; this fish was 2 feet 9 inches in length. 

 Two others, captured in the month of December, of which I took 

 measurements, must have considerably exceeded that weight, as they were 

 each 3 feet in length and a foot in depth, not reckoning the curve of the 

 body ; they were in high condition, well-shaped, and firm. I have noted 

 a few other examples here 3 feet in length ; these last were taken in mid- 

 winter. 



The food which I have most frequently found in the stomachs of coal- 

 fish was small Crustacea, as Llotea, &c. ; and Dr. J. L. Drummond, wlio 

 opened many of them during his researches on Entozoa, almost invariably 

 found the stomachs filled with Onisci. I have occasionally observed 

 fishes in them, and once, on opening a couple, I found a Patella tcerulea 

 in each. They are said to swim in shoals when in pursuit of herrings, 

 and to be very destructive to these fishes. 



At Newcastle, Down, I have seen them brought in from the deep sea, all 

 caught with the lug-worm. 



Pennant's observation, that the colour of this species deepens with age, 



* [The young are also called Cudden and Pickey in some localities. — Ed.] 



