200 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. , 
Atlantic, but a prettier, weaker relative, greatly loved and grievously persecuted by the cod. No 
one has yet recorded the existence of a haddock (Melanogrammus), hake (Phycis), or of a cusk 
(Brosmius), in Alaskan waters. The only members of the cod family definitely known are the true 
cod (Gadus morrhua), the tom-cod (Microgadus proximus), the polar cod (Boreogadus saida), the 
“wachna” (Tilesia gracilis), and the pollock (Pollachius chalcogrammus). Wherever the true cod is 
found occurs also the halibut (Hippoglossus vulgaris), the same species as that of the Atlantic. 
These two prime fish are associated; they come almost to the doors of the fishermen, and are 
present now around the shores of Alaska in the profusion which attended the infancy of the Cape 
Cod fishery. : 
DISTRIBUTION.—The cod seems to be entirely unknown as far south as San Diego, Cal. 
A circular sent by the chief of the Bureau of Statistics to Mr. W. W. Bowers, collector of customs 
at San Diego, elicited the following response: “I referred the circular to Dr. G. W. Barnes, the 
president of a society of natural history, and to various fishermen, but cannot ascertain that the 
codfish is known to exist in any of the waters adjacent to this port.” 
J. L. McDonald, in a book entitled ‘Hidden Treasures, or Fisheries around the Northwest 
Coast,” states that “cod are taken in very limited numbers off the Farallones; they are lean and 
very poor and resemble the jaundiced cod on the Grand Bank.” 
The same author writes: “On the Heceta bank, NNW. from Cape Orford, Oregon, cod are 
found. The Indians residing on that coast report this fish as quite abundant in the summer 
months, and (they) are said to be large, solid, and delicious.” 
James G. Swan, in a report on the food-fishes of Cape Flattery, Washington Territory, informs 
us that “the cod of the North Pacific is not found in abundance at Cape Flattery; occasionally it 
is brought in, but it is by no means common. It seems to inhabit the deep water of Fuca Strait, 
and for that reason is seldom fished for, except occasionally some of the older fishermen will try 
during very fine weather to take fish in 80 fathoms. Further up the sound and in Hood’s Canal 
and a few other localities the Gadus is taken, but it is small, evidently a young fish. Although its 
existence is well known to residents on Puget Sound, it is not taken in sufficient quantities to be 
relied on as a food-fish.” Professors Jordan and Gilbert brought from Puget Sound specimens of 
the species, some of which have recently been distributed by the U. S. National Museum. 
Mr. H. A. Webster, collector of customs at Port Townsend, Washington Territory, communi- 
cates the following information : “The cod, I believe, is always present in the waters of Fuca Strait 
and Puget Sound, but in such limited quantities that catching has not been pursued as a business, 
and the knowledge of |its] habits is very limited. Young cod, about the size of shad, have been 
somewhat abundant in Puget Sound during the winter months 3 cod weighing from four to six 
pounds have been taken during the summer months by Indians at Nee-ah-Bay. * * * The 
presence of small cod in the winter months in Puget Sound and at the mouth of the Strait of Fuca 
is an indication that large quantities may be found in the neighborhood of Cape Flattery—say 
west of Tahosh light and south from Vancouver Island. * * * No efficient search has been 
made off the coast of Washington Territory for this valuable fish.” 
To the cod fleet of 1866 British Columbia added two or three small schooners which were fitted 
out at Victoria. These vessels fished on grounds immediately north of Naas River, where they 
reported numerous banks as well as farther to the northward. At the same time cod were caught 
in Barclay Sound and brought to the Victoria market. 
At Sitka, Indians brought a few cod to our vessel in June, 1880. The cod were reported 
abundant and readily caught, but the halibut, the many fine “ bass” (several species of Sebastichthys), 
and the “ rockfish” (various species of Hexagrammus) seemed to have greater popularity. Mr. A. 
