140 



FISH GALLERY. 



Teleostean fishes, e. g. that of the Salmon, being externally 

 symmetrical above and below the middle, is internally symmetrical 

 also. The vertebral axis is not uptilted, and the hsemal spines of 

 the last few vertebrae are not expanded into hypural bones (477). 

 The fin-rays of the lower part of the tail-fin are carried by inter- 

 spinous bones, and it is probable that the true caudal fin has 

 atrophied, and has been replaced by a continuous series of fin-rays 

 belonging to the dorsal and anal fins. 



In the Cod and other species of Gadus there are three separate 

 fins on the back, and two anal fins between the anus and the tail- 

 fin. Of the European species of Gadus other than the Cod the 

 most important are the Haddock (474), Whiting (479), Pollack 

 (478), Coal-fish (475), Bib (480, skeleton), Poor-cod (481), and 

 Poutassou. 

 Haddock. The Haddock, Gadus ceglefinus, 474, is distinguished from the 

 Cod by its black lateral line and the blackish patch above the 

 pectoral fin. It attains a length of three feet in the arctic 

 latitudes, although it is smaller on the southern coasts. Much of 

 the fish is eaten fresh, but it is most in favour in the smoked and 

 dried condition. 



Whiting. The Whiting, Gadus merlangus, 479, extends from Norway to 

 the Mediterranean, and is abundant in shallow water round all the 



Pollack, coasts of Britain and Ireland. The Pollack, Gadus pollachius, 

 478, is found in rocky localities along the Atlantic coasts of 

 Europe from Norway to the Mediterranean. In the British Isles 

 it is commonest off the Devon, Cornish and Irish coasts. It is of 

 more interest to the sea-angler than to the regular fisherman. 

 Hake. The Hake, Merluccius vulgaris, 473, can be distinguished from 



the species of Gadus by its having two dorsal fins and one anal 

 fin. There is no barbel on the chin ; the frontal bones are not 

 fused together as in the Cod. The Hake is a large fish, growing 

 to four feet in length; it is voracious, with strong teeth, and 

 follows the shoals of Mackerel, Pilchards and other migratory fish. 

 The flesh is soft and of fair quality, most of it is preserved as 

 " Stock-fish." 

 Ling. The Ling, Molva vulgaris, 485, is a northern but wide-ranging 



fish ; it is fairly common around the British Isles. Most of the 

 Ling caught are cured and dried. 



