rOOD PRODUCTS OF THE SEA — FISHES. 267. 



fecundity of the cod seems to be an appointment of 

 Providence in affording a supply of food to bleak and 

 frozen countries that are unfit for the production of 

 grain ; not only so, but the cod supplies all Europe with 

 a considerable quantity of provision. 



The black cod (Gadus carbonarius), formerly called coal 

 fish, abounds in the waters of the Pacific, on the coasts of 

 North West America. This fish is highly spoken of in 

 America, and is considered far superior to the cod of 

 Newfoundland, the flesh being richer and of finer fibre. 

 It received its popular name of coal fish from the dusky 

 pigment which tinges the skin and soils the fingers when 

 handled. In England it is considered a coarse fish and 

 principally eaten by the poor, but in America it is salted 

 and sold by the hundredweight. 



The hake (Merlucms vulgaris) is an excellent fish, and 

 considered good eating, especially when cut in fillets and 

 fried in butter. 



The fish which passes under the name of hake on the 

 coasts of America is the Phycis chuss. Wall., P. americanus, 

 Storer. This is sometimes called ling by the fishermen, 

 but differs in many points from the ling of Europe. The 

 squirrel hake is Phycis tenuis, Mitchell, and there is 

 another American species, the long-finned hake, P. 

 chesterii, Goode and Bear. 



The whiting {Merlangus [^Gadiis'] vulgaris), a small deli- 

 cate fish, seldom exceeding a pound and a half in weight, 

 is one of the cod family. In Devonshire and Cornwall 

 whiting are salted and dried in the sun immediately 

 after being caught, and when sufficiently dry are tied 

 up in bundles of six or upwards ; but most of those 

 caught are now sent fresh to the London market by the 

 fast trains. 



The whiting of North America is Mentieirrus nehulostis, 

 [Mitch.] Gill, also known as the king fish. 



The fish which pass under the name of whiting in 

 India are Selago schama, Forsk., and 8. pama, the flesh 

 of which furnishes a light and nourishing diet. 



The haddock (Gadus [Morrhua] ceglefinus) fishing is of 



