45 



HAKE. Merlucius Vulgaris. Jenyns, p. 447. Yarrell's Br„ 

 F*, vol. 2, p. 177. This Fish is of great importance to the 

 poorer classes, being salted and dried for their winter's 

 food. I have been informed of 40,000, that were landed in 

 Mount's Bay in one day, and that 1100 were taken in one 

 boat in two nights. 

 LING. Lota Moloa. Jenyns, p. 448. Yarrell's Br. F., voL 



2, p. 180. Common. 

 THREE BEARDED ROCKLING. Motella Tricirrata. 

 Jenyns, p. 449. Yarrell's Br. F., vol. 2, p. 186. Com- 

 mon. 

 FIVE BEARDED ROCKLING. M. Mustela. Jenyns, p. 



450. Yarrell's Br. F., vol. 2, p. 190. Common. 

 MACKAREL MIDGE. M. Glauca. Jenyns, p. 451. Yar- 

 rell's Br. F., vol. 2, p. 198. This little fish, which abounds 

 in summer, is of value for attracting within reach of the 

 fisherman, the wandering tribes of larger size and national 

 importance. On this account, with the Skulpins, Gobies, 

 Launces, Sprats, and others, too small or deficient in deli" 

 cacy, to be esteemed for the table, their importance to the 

 fisheries demands their adequate protection. 

 FORK BEARD. Phijcis Fnrcatus. Jenyns, p. 452. Yar- 

 rell's Br. F., vol. 2, p. 201. Not uncommon, but chiefly in 

 Winter. Hake's Dame. 

 LESSER FORKBEARD. Raniceps Jago. Yarrell's Br. 

 F., vol. 2, p. 204. Rare. It is the opinion of Naturalists, 

 that this Species and the Tadpole fish, R. Trifurcatus, 

 Jenyns, p. 451, are the same ; but comparing four spe- 

 cimens that have come into my possession, with a figure of 

 the latter, by Dr. Parnell in Jardine's Magazine of Zoology, 

 vol. 1, the question does not appear to be decisively settled. 

 The family of Codfishes (Gadidse) deposit their spawn, from 

 the beginning of January to April, in moderately deep water, 

 in the situations commonly resorted to by the parent fishes. 

 The prevalence of cold winds, however, will influence this 

 function in thern as in other Genera; and in the remarkably 

 late spring of 1837, the Hakes had not shed their roe until 

 after Midsummer. It would appear that it is not simply cold 

 weather, that exerts this influence on the fishes of the ocean ; 

 which are observed to be even more affected by change of 

 weather than animals of the land. But as winds between 

 South and West accelerate the advance of the Gulf stream 

 of warm water from the tropics, the Eastern winds retard it, 

 and thus repress the vital energies of such Fishes as have 

 been accustomed to this usual excitement. AH but our more 

 hardy Fishes retire into deep water under these circumstan- 

 ces ; and when again emerging they are observed to be ill-fed 



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