CHAPTER XVIL 

 OF THE COD AND TOM-COD. 



The cod is another salt-water fish of the world, or, more prop- 

 erly, the more northern coasts of the civilized world, as far as 

 known. They are taken in abundance on the coasts of Eng- 

 land, France and Germany, and are found in immense num- 

 bers on the northern shores of our own continent. They are a 

 fine, edible fish ; and although not much of a game fish, afford 

 considerable sport to many of our eastern anglers in the vici- 

 nity of Boston. 



Smith remarks on this fish — " We consider it unnecessary 

 to enter into a minute description. Known as the most valu- 

 able production of the sea to man, the cod abounds on the 

 whole coast of Massachusetts, but flourishes in the greatest 

 vigor and abundance still further north. 



The cod is gregarious, going in immense armies from 

 place to place, but remaining certain parts of the season at 

 particular localities, which afford its appropriate food in the 

 greatest abundance : sea-worms, small muscles, and marine 

 plants, are common on clear, sandy or rocky bottoms — and 

 there the cod is caught. 



