348 FISHES OF THE FIRTH OF FORTH. 



tion of the first dorsal, and terminating rather behind the last ray of 

 the second dorsal ; the seventh ray rather the longest ; the remainder 

 gradually decreasing. Second anal corresponding to the third dor- 

 sal. Teeth small and sharp, placed in one row in the lower jaw,, and 

 in three or four rows in the upper jaw, and a few on the vomer ; un- 

 der jaw considerably the longest ; maxillary extending back to be- 

 neath the anterior margin of the orbit ; operculum ending in a strong 

 blunt point. Lateral line curved from its origin to the third or fourth 

 ray of the second dorsal, from thence running straight to the tail ; all 

 the fins completely covered with very small elongated scales which 

 are scarcely perceptible except when the fish is in a dried state; 

 scales of the body small and rather deciduous. Number of fin rays — 

 1st D. 11 ; 2d D. 19 ; 3d D. 17 ; 1st A. 27 ; 2d A. 17 ; P. 19 ; V. 6 ; 

 C. 30. 



The Pollack is distinguished from the whiting and the 

 green cod, by the under jaw projecting beyond the upper. 

 It is known from coalfish in the lateral line not being 

 straight throughout, and in the caudal fin not being forked. 



This species of fish, although frequent in the Orkneys 

 and Shetland Isles, and common along the eastern and 

 southern shores of England, is acknowledged to be a rare 

 visitant in the Firth of Forth, where seldom more than 

 half a dozen are taken during the season, and those gene- 

 rally of large size ; the young in this neighbourhood are 

 seldom seen. It is found on the west coasts of England 

 and Scotland, and along the shores of Ireland in tolerable 

 numbers, but becomes less frequent as we approach the 

 Northern Seas. The flesh as food is remarkably good, par- 

 ticularly during the winter months, and is considered but 

 little inferior in quality to that of the whiting, being white, 

 solid, and easy of digestion. It spawns in February, after 

 which it remains out of condition till May. The Pollack 

 does not seem choice as to what it feeds on, and is easily 

 taken with a baited line. It inhabits deep and rocky situa- 

 tions, and seldom wanders far from land. 



