THE COD FAMILY. 269 



and June, apparently preceding the young cod in their arrival. 

 In Bohuslan, again, it is said they are 60 mm. long before 

 appearing on the shores in July'. 



These two species may be readily distinguished, for the 

 young green cod have larger eyes, blunter and shorter snouts 

 and shorter lower jaws, and it is further discriminated by the 

 shape of the first anal fin, by a deep green hue over the general 

 surface, and by much more abundant and evenly distributed 

 black pigment on the body and fins. It may also have yellow 

 spots on the dorsal and anal fins, and the breast-fins may have 

 two broad arches of pigment, as in the gurnard and other forms. 



In July the same series is found as in May and June, viz., 

 from 1^ inch upwards to about 2J inches, which is increased to 

 3 inches by early October. Some occur in July even as small 

 as 1^ to I inch in St Andrews Bay. A series from the west 

 coast of Ireland in July extend from 1| to 2| inches, a little 

 more advanced than those on the east coast of Scotland^. So 

 far as we can conjecture from the known spawning-period these 

 little fishes of 3 inches must be at least 5 months old (May to 

 September inclusive) and may be more. This would indicate 

 a rather slower rate of growth during the first season than in 

 the case of young cod. Further observations, however, are 

 required for certainty on this point. 



In July and August are also found the young green cod of 

 larger size and probably belonging to the second year. A 

 paler and a darker variety occur, probably in direct relation- 

 ship to the difference in environment (cf Cod). They are 

 abundant around all our rocky shores and harbours and are 

 known locally as 'podleys' (see Whiting). 



The Pollack. {Gadus poUachius, L.) 



Though by no means an uncommon fish on both the eastern 

 and the western shores, yet the majority of those captured in 

 the various nets are unripe. Young fishes are more frequently 



' Scandinavian Fishes, p. 503. 

 2 7th S. F. B. Report, p. 307, 



