202 GADITES. 



whirls it through the water with surprising veloci- 

 ty, till it is finally obliged to let go its hold. 



Its teeth are small, sharp, and curved inwardly, 

 giving it a decidedly mechanical advantage over 

 many osseous fishes of its own size. Specimens of 

 the hake have been exhibited abroad, measuring 

 several feet. The largest caught here seldom ex- 

 ceed two feet. They are denominated, when pre- 

 pared for market, poor-Johns. The best hake 

 are taken off Cape Cod, and sold under the name 

 of stock-fish.* 



Haddock, — Morrhua JEglefinus. In Cath- 

 olic countries, there is a strange notion entertained 

 that this is the fish, out of whose mouth St Peter 

 took the tribute money. Two dark spots behind 

 the gills, continued to the countless generations of 

 haddock, indicate the impression of the Apos- 

 tle's thumb and finger. 



Its upper jaw is the longest ; the tail is forked, 

 and the mouth small, compared with the magni- 

 tude of the fish ; the eyes are large, with a black 

 pupil ; — general color of the body a pale gray, 



* Though the Church of England, gives no particular di- 

 rections concerning fasts, — Parliament has pursued a very 

 strange course, by prohibiting meat on fast days, — which is 

 for the purpose of encouraging the fisheries and naviga- 

 tion. 



