512 AMERICAN FISHES. 
Capelan (or Caplan) is a small Gadoid fish, somewhat like a Tomcod, very 
common in the Mediterranean, and which approaches the shores in large 
schools. The French fishermen, familiar with this form, saw a fish of similar 
size and habits, at least in that it approached the shore in like schools, and 
gave the name which the French fish bore at home. That name was trans- 
formed into the English word Capelin. It is the Lodde of the Norwegians 
and Loddan of the Swedes. 
The species is of the greatest importance to the natives of the northern 
regions. It is still, as Pennant long ago declared, “the daily bread, and 
the fish in highest esteem with the Greenlanders, and providentially given 
to them in the greatest abundance.” Further south, in the English colonies, 
where the Cod is the all-important fish, the Capelin is less esteemed for 
human consumption. It is, however, indirectly of almost equal value. In 
August and September, says Chappell, “the swarms of these fish are so 
numerous that they darken the surface of the sea for miles in extent, whilst 
the Cod prey upon them with the utmost voracity.” They furnish, indeed, 
the most acceptable bait for the Cod, and large numbers are caught for that 
purpose. Sir Richard Bonnycastle has truly stated that ‘a Capelin school, 
schule, or shoal, is eagerly looked for as the real commencement of the Cod 
fishery.” They are not, however, entirely neglected, even for human food, 
and are “sometimes salted and dried by the fishermen, and afterwards 
toasted with butter, for their breakfasts.” They are indeed quite savory, — 
almost if not quite as much so as smelt,— and the only objection urged 
against them is that they smell like “stale cucumbers.” On account of 
their abundance rather than odor they were contemned in some places. 
“In Newfoundland they scarcely care about them, and do not think 
them much worth exporting, as a whole sackful dried may be had for 
a trifle.” But, in Bonnycastle’s opinion, “so delicious is this little sal- 
mon reckoned, that a small keg of them well cured is a present for 
European friends. The best [he] ever observed were in the Bay of Chaleur, 
where more pains are taken to preserve them.” 
There is considerable disparity between the accounts descriptive of the 
manner and station of spawning. Those given in all American works 
have, as a primitive basis and authority, the observations of Lieut. Edward 
Chappell, R. N., during the “ voyage of His Majesty’s ship ‘Rosamond’ to 
Newfoundland and the Southern coast of Labrador,” published in 1818. 
Those observations are here quoted in full for reasons which will become 
obvious. 
