278 



Cod 



hardly require stating, yet the fact remains of the 

 scarcity, and it needs to be accounted for in some 

 other ways, although most probably if we did account 

 for it we should find ourselves powerless to prevent 

 its increase. 



On the other hand, judging by what is to be seen 

 on any morning at Grimsby or Billingsgate during 

 the season, the supply of Haddock, first cousin to 

 the Cod, shows no sign whatever of diminution. The 

 Haddock comes to London almost direct from the 

 sea, whence he is netted by trawls in immense numbers, 

 in such a manner as to make one feel on witnessing 

 the arrival and dispersal of a consignment as if they 

 never wished to taste the fish again. It is, like all the 

 Cod family, of a naturally slimy character, almost 

 as much so really as the eel, but on its first appearance 

 from the sea, multitudinously squirming in the pouch 

 of the great trawl net, shows no trace of unpleasant 

 appearance. But then it is dumped into the hold 

 of the vessel and almost at once loses its cleanly grey 

 and silver, exchanging it for a dvill, greasy-looking 

 neutral tint. Transferred from the hold of the vessel 

 into iron tanks each holding a couple of tons or so, 

 two of which just fit on a flat railway truck, it is whisked 

 off at full goods speed to Billingsgate, undergoing 

 on the journey a further process of deterioration, 

 aided by the melting of the rough dirty ice with which 

 it is plentifully mixed. 



At Billingsgate it is sold by auction in the open 

 street outside the Custom House to crowds of waiting 

 fishmongers. Immediately a purchase is made, men, 

 who are hardly distinguishable, by reason of filth 

 and slime, except by their size, from the fish they 

 stand knee deep in, shovel the mass of fish into the 

 buyer's cart which is backed up to the wain bearing 



