470 REPORT OF THE 



223. Cod {Gadiis morrJina Linnaeus). 



The Cod inhabits the North Atlantic and North Pacific : south to France and 

 Virginia in the Atlantic, and to Puget Sound in the Pacific. It is one of the most 

 valuable of the food fishes, and grows to a very large size, individuals measuring 

 nearly 5 feet being on record. 



Mitchill calls it the Torsh, Common Cod, or Rock Cod of New York. DeKay 

 uses the name American Cod for this species. He says it is exceedingly voracious. 

 " It attacks indiscriminately everything in its way, devouring smaller fish, Crustacea 

 and marine shellfish. Its stomach is in fact the great repository, from which has 

 lately been obtained so many rare and undescribed species of shells inhabiting deep 

 water, and which are unattainable by any other means." 



The Cod was abundant in Gravesend Bay in November, 1897. It thrives in 

 captivity during the winter and spring. 



According to Dr. Smith, it appears in Vineyard Sound about April i, and 

 remains until about May 15, or until the Dog Fish strike on. When the fish first 

 come they feed chiefly on worms, and are known among fishermen as the " Worm 

 School;" later they feed on Herring, Lants and Crabs, and are known as the 

 " Herring School." After the middle of October the Cod come again, but in less 

 numbers than in spring, and remain until the first wintry weather. The spawning 

 season usually begins in November and continues until January. Young Cod are 

 first observed about the ist of April, when fish about i inch long are seen. Most 

 of the young leave by June 15, having attained a length of 3 to 4 inches. No Cod 

 are seen between fish of that size and those weighing i)^ to 2 pounds, caught in 

 traps in spring. An unusual number of Cod were taken in Vineyard Sound during 

 the fall of 1900, off Bowbell Ledge. The fishermen gave up fishing for Tautog and 

 made Cod fishing their business. The Cod were all plump and in good condition, 

 weighing from 4 to 20 pounds. 



224. Haddock {Mclanograinnius cEglifimis Linnaeus). 



The Haddock is an inhabitant of the North Atlantic on both coasts, extending 

 south to France and to North Carolina. It grows to a length of about 30 inches, 

 and is a very important food fish. The fish was described by both Mitchill and 

 DeKay. DeKay states that it is nearly as common in our markets as the Cod, but 

 is an inferior fish as an article of food. It is, in fact, in the summer more abundant 

 than the Cod. 



Dr. Smith says the Haddock has not been detected in Vineyard Sound or Buz- 

 zards Bay, but is common 6 or 7 miles off Gayhead, and on the ocean side of 

 Martha's Vineyard. It was reported at Woods Hole, Mass., by Prof. Baird, in 1871. . 



