THE POLLACK. 347 



they are said to form the great support of the poor. 

 They inhabit deep and rocky situations, and are very vo- 

 racious ; they take a baited hook or an artificial fly freely, 

 and afford excellent diversion to the angler. 



The growth of these fish in the early part of their exis- 

 tence, appears to be rapid. In the early part of spring the 

 spawn is deposited, and the fry are seen in June about two 

 inches in length ; in August they are four inches ; in Sep- 

 tember five, when they are considered a delicious fish for 

 the table ; but as they grow older they get coarser, and are 

 less in demand. They are frequently taken the length of 

 three feet. 



Merlangus pollachius.* — The Pollack. 



Specific Characters. — Under jaw the longest ; lateral line curved ; 

 caudal fin slightly concave. 



Description. — From a specimen two feet ten inches in length. Head 

 about one-fourth of the whole length, caudal included. Depth of the 

 body less than the length of the head. Colour of the back and sides 

 dusky green ; belly dirty white ; all the fins dusky brown. First dor- 

 sal fin commencing in a line over the middle of the pectorals ; first 

 two rays simple, the rest branched ; the third and fourth the longest, 

 equalling the length of the base of the fin ; the remainder of the rays 

 rapidly decreasing in height, the last very short. Second dorsal com- 

 mencing at a short distance from the termination of the first ; first 

 two rays simple and stout ; the rest soft and flexible ; the third the 

 longest, equalling in length the fifth ray of the first dorsal ; the re- 

 mainder gradually diminishing ; the last very short; the sixth about 

 one third the length of the base of the fin. Third dorsal commencing 

 at a short interval from the last, and ending not far from the short la- 

 teral rays of the caudal ; the fifth ray longest, about half the length 

 of the base of the fin ; the rest of the rays gradually decreasing ; the 

 last very short ; caudal fin slightly concave at the extremity ; pec- 

 torals pointed ; the fourth ray the longest, equalling the length of the 

 base of the third dorsal; ventrals in advance of the base of the pec- 

 torals ; the longest ray about the length of the eighth ray of the first 

 dorsal. First anal fin commencing in a line under the posterior por- 



" Merlangus pollachius, Yarr., Flem., Jen. Gadtu Pollachins Linn.. 

 Penn., Don. Pollack, Whiting. Pollack, Lythc. 





