256 WHITING COD FISH. Class IV. 



about half a mile to that of three miles from the 

 shore. They are caught in great numbers by the 

 line, and afford excellent diversion. They are 

 the most delicate, as well as the most wholesome 

 of any of the genus, but do not grow to a large 

 size ; the biggest we ever saw * not exceeding 

 twenty inches, but that is very uncommon, the 

 usual length being ten or twelve. 

 Descrip- It is a fish of an elegant make; the upper 

 jaw is the longest; the eyes large, the nose 

 sharp, the teeth of the upper jaw, long, and ap- 

 pear above the lower when closed; the first 

 dorsal fin has fifteen rays, the second eighteen, 

 the last twenty. The color of the head and back 

 is a pale brown; the lateral line white, and 

 crooked ; the belly and sides silvery ; the last 

 streaked lengthways with yellow. 



* We have been informed that whitings, from four to eight 

 pounds in weight, have been taken in the deep water at the edge 



TION. 



