272 



LOWER VERTEBRATES. 



the surface as do those of cod-fish. The young more frequently are to be found under 

 the umbrellas or disks of large jelly-fish. Their growth appeal's to be more rapid 

 than that of the cod, " since the young fish are so much more voracious, but we have 

 no means of determining the length of time required for them to attain maturity." 



In the opinion of Mr. Goode, " the pollock is one of those species whose value as 

 an article of food is very much underestimated. Many persons who have investigated 



Fig. 154. —a, Melanogramnais teglefinus, haddock ; 6, Merlangus vulgaris, Ti'liitlng j c, Gcuius morrhtia, cod. 



the subject accurately prefer salted pollock to salted cod-fish, although the flesh is not 

 so white." It is, however, " for use in the fresh state " that it " deserves the highest 

 commendation." 



The whiting, Merlangus vulgaris, is another species of the genus, held in high 

 estimation in England and other parts of Europe, but not known along the American 

 coast. The upper jaw is the longer, but it has no barbel. 



The whiting is said to attain a weight sometimes of eight pounds, but a fish of 

 two to three pounds is considered to be a very fine one. Its range is more restricted 



