44 



the end of Summer ; and if attention were paid to the Fish- 

 ery, enough might be caught to supply the consumption of 

 the British Islands. Bloch informs us that the fishery in 

 the Mediterranean is carried on from May to July, at which 

 period this Fish enters that Sea for the purpose of shedding 

 its spawn ; and that when this function is performed it 

 returns to the Atlantic. I have not found them on our 

 Coast until the Autumnal equinox ; and the Fishery would 

 be chiefly followed in October and November, when the 

 Fish are in fine condition ; but some are met with through 

 the Winter and until the month of March. 



THE CODFISH TRIBE. 



CODFISH Gadus Morrhua. Jenyns, p. 440. Mr. Yarrell 

 supposes the Sharpnosed Codfish of the Western Coast to 

 be a variety of that of which he has given a figure; Br. F., 

 vol. 2, p. 151, but perhaps in tbis as in most other instances 

 it will be found, that though colour in Fishes is exceedingly 

 liable to variation, according to the ground and temperature, 

 yet a variety of form is proof of a difference of Species. 

 This Fish is abundant, large, in fine condition in its season, 

 on the Cornish Coast, chiefly from feeding on the smaller 

 kinds of Crabs, which are in great number ; but out of sea- 

 son, as it is for nine months in the year, few Speeies offer 

 a greater contrast to their best perfection. The younger 

 Codfish is termed a Tanilin Cod, and is good food at all 

 times; and it sometimes happens also, that the Fish which 

 has not been exausted by spawning, is found in excellent 

 condition at a time when others are thin and meagre, or as 

 fishermen denominate it, Louning. 



HADDOCK. G. JEglefinus. Jenyns, p. 441. Yarrell's 

 Br. F., vol. 2, p. 153. Tbis Fish is variable in its habits, 

 sometimes abounding for a year or two, and then again 

 becoming scarce. This seems to arise from its manner of 

 feeding, which is on Sea eggs (Echini,) the Crab kind, and 

 Ascideae, or as fishermen term them, Water bags ; and when 

 these have become scarce, their haunts are again changed. 



BIB. G. Lvscvs. Jenyns, p. 442. Yarrell's Br. F., vol. 2, 

 p. 157. Common. 



POWER. G. Minutus. Jenyns, p. 444. Yarrell's Br. F., 

 vol. 2, p. 161. Common. 



WHITING. Merluuyvs Vulgaris. Jenyns, p. 445. Yar- 

 rell's Br. F., vol. 2, p. 167. Common. 



POLLACK. M. Pollacfnus. Jenyns, p. 446. Yarrell's 

 Br. F.. vol. 2, p. 172. Common. 



RAUN1NG POLLACK. M. Carbonarius. Jenyns, p. 446. 

 Yarrell's lir. F., vol. '2, p. 169. Common. 



GREEN COD. M. Vircns. Jenyns, p. 447. Yarrell's 

 Br. F., vol. 2, p. 175. I suppose this to be the Young of 

 the last Species. 



