204 GADITES 



twenty one ; the pectoral fins have seventeen, but 

 the ventral only six. 



The whiting is a small neat fish, only measuring 

 from six to twelve inches, depending, in this par- 

 ticular, on its age ; of a whitish dun color, some- 

 what approaching the complexion of the pollock. 

 They are taken sparingly in the autumn, in most 

 of the bays at the north of Cape Cod. At the 

 Cape, particularly, we are informed, the whiting is 

 caught in considerable plenty. In England, the 

 whiting fishery is one of manifest importance, pro- 

 tected by special acts of parliament. 



When dried, they are called, in the shops, 

 spauldings. One before us, taken near Scituate, 

 measures eighteen inches in length. 



Pollock, — Merlangus Pollachius — This is 

 an elegant little fish, when in good condi- 

 tion and well grown. Good specimens some- 

 times measure from ten to fourteen inches. 

 The head is narrow; the eyes are large and full ; 

 the color approaching an olive on the back, but 

 silvery white on the sides and abdomen ; the 

 fins are smoky ; the tail slightly forked ; the un- 

 der jaw somewhat the longest. As an article of 

 food, they do not rank remarkably high. 



Tom-Cod, — Gadus Taucaud. We are fully 



