THE WHITING. 343 



blue. First dorsal fin somewhat of a triangular form, commencing a 

 little behind the base of the pectorals ; third and fourth rays the 

 longest, about equalling the base of the fin ; first ray spinous, stouter 

 than the rest ; the last very short and slender. Second dorsal com- 

 mencing at a short interval from the termination of the first ; fourth 

 and fifth rays the longest, about one-third the length of the base of 

 the fin ; the first stout and spinous ; the last very short and slender, 

 and readily overlooked. Third dorsal longer than the first and ra- 

 ther shorter than the second, commencing close behind the termina- 

 tion of the latter, and ending at a short distance from the base of the 

 short caudal rays ; fourth and fifth rays the longest, about half the 

 length of the base of the fin ; the first stout and spiny ; the rest soft 

 and flexible ; the last but three half the length of the seventh ; pec- 

 torals moderate ; the fifth ray the longest, about equalling the base 

 of the first dorsal fin ; all the rays soft and flexible except the two 

 first which are simple ; the fourteenth ray one-half the length of the 

 fifth ; first anal fin very long, commencing in a line under the last 

 ray but five of the first dorsal, and terminating in a line under the 

 first ray of the third dorsal ; the first ray very short ; the seven suc- 

 ceeding ones gradually increasing in length ; the eighth one-fifth the 

 length of the base of the fin ; the following twelve or fourteen of 

 equal length ; the remainder gradually diminishing ; the last very 

 short; second anal fin commencing close behind the termination of 

 the first, corresponding in shape and size to the third dorsal, but 

 placed rather nearer the tail ; caudal fin even at the end ; ventrals 

 small, situated before the pectorals ; second ray the longest. Under 

 jaw rather the shortest, armed with a row of sharp teeth, with a few 

 smaller ones at the base ; upper jaw with teeth of a similar kind, but 

 the smaller ones more numerous and placed in two or three rows ; 

 eyes round and moderate ; maxillary extending baek to beneath the 

 anterior part of the pupil ; gill-opening large ; branchial rays seven. 

 Lateral line commencing at the upper part of the operculum, taking 

 a slight bend under the anterior part of the second dorsal, from thence 

 passing straight to the middle ray of the tail. Scales on the back and 

 abdomen very small, those down the middle of the body consider- 

 ably larger ; intervening membranes of the caudal fin covered with 

 minute scales which are scarcely perceptible except when in a dried 

 state ; caudal extremity of the body terminating in a point. Num- 

 ber of fin rays — 



IstD. 13; 2d D. 22; 3d D. 20; P. 21 ; 1st A. 36; 2d A. 23; V. 0; 

 C. 30 ; " Vert. 55." 



The Whiting is distinguished from the cod, haddock, 



