FISHES. 273 



to the northward, than that of the cod, haddock, or pollock, and it does not extend 

 across the ocean. We are informed by Dr. Day that on the British coasts, "it appears 

 in the spring in large shoals, and though delighting in sandy bays, where young fish 

 abound, it seems to be shy, and mostly keeps from half a mile to three miles from 

 the shore, in springtime hanging about the more distant rocks," and " even during 

 summer months, it often keeps two or three miles from the coast." It is believed to 

 be very susceptible to the influence of cold. Its flesh is highly esteemed, according 

 to Dr. Day, "more so, perhaps, than any other species of the genus, being very easy 

 of digestion." It is often caught by " whifiing, when it gives good sport, especially 

 during rough weather ; " the best time is "early in the morning, or in the evening; 

 it will rise, by moonlight, into mid-water after its prey." 



There are a number of fishes closely related to the cod, haddock, and pollock, and 

 belonging to the same sub-family, Gadinse. The most noteworthy of the American 

 species are the tom-cods; the eastern species being the Microgadus tomcod ; the 

 Pacific coast species, the M. proximios. These are of small size, the average 

 being less than a foot, and during the summer season they come close into shore, and 

 are frequently taken from the wharves. They are quite savory, but of little econom- 

 ical importance compared with their larger relatives. 



Several other sfiecies of this family are of scientific interest as well as economic 

 importance. The dorsal fins are reduced to two, the first being rather short, and the 

 second very long and without any division whatever, and the anal is also entire ; a 

 peculiar character is manifested in the ventral fins, which are extremely narrow and 

 bifurcated or produced into two long slender filaments, the other rays being very rudi- 

 mentary, and not apparent externally. The sub-family name Phycinse has been used 

 for them. 



Three species are common along the eastern American coast, Phycis chuss, Phycis 

 tenuis, and Phycis regius. The first two are of some economical importance, espec- 

 ially on account of their air-bladders or sounds; they are generally known as hakes, the 

 true hake {Merlucius') being called silver-hake or whiting. The corresponding 

 species of England, Phycis blennioides, is sometimes designated as hake's dame, and 

 is also named fork-beard. 



The accompanying illustration of an Australian and New Zealand species {Mac- 

 rurus australis) will give an idea of the form. 



A fresh-water Gadid, the burbot, is the type of another sub-family, the Lotinje, 

 distinguished by the development of two dorsals, a first short one, and a second 

 long fin ; the anal is also elongate, and the ventrals are like those of the Gadinte. 

 Several salt-water species, constituting the genus Molva, belong to it, as well as the 

 burbot. 



The burbot. Lota maculosa, L. lota, is the only exclusively fresh-water Gadid, and 

 is common to the northern portions of both Europe and America. In America it is 

 more generally known as the cusk and eel-pout, but in Alaska as the Losh (a corruption 

 of Loche, common among the French Canadians). In Alaska it occasionally attains a 

 length of six feet and a weight of sixty pounds, according to Mr. Dall ; but such a 

 size is entirely exceptional. The average size of mature individuals is in the neigh- 

 borhood of five pounds. 



The burbot, is an inhabitant of the lakes and rivers of central and northern 

 Europe, and in America extends southwards into the Susquehanna River in the east, 

 and Missouri in the central regions, but is more common as well as larger northwards. 



VOL. III. — 18 



