Clafs 1V. Ls j N G. 161 
and thofe of Scotland and Ireland; and forms a con- 
fiderable article of commerce *. 
In the York/bire feas they are in perfection from 
the beginning of February to the beginning of May, 
and fome tillthe end of that month. In une they 
* fpawn, depofiting their eggs in the foft oozy ground 
of the mouth of the Zees: at that time the males 
feparate from the females, and refort to fome rocky 
ground near Flamborough Head, where the ffhermen 
take great numbers without ever finding any of the 
female or roed fifh among them. 
While a ling is in feafon its liver is very white, and 
abounds with a fine flavored oil ; but as foon as the 
fith goes out of feafon, the liver becomes red as that 
ef a bullock, and affords no oil. The fame hap- 
pens to the cod and other fith in a certain degree, 
but not fo remarkably as in the ling. When the 
fifh is in perfection, a very large quantity of oil may 
be melted out of the liver by a flow fire, but if a 
violent fudden heat be ufed for that purpofe, they 
yield very little. This oil, which nature hoards up 
in the cellular membranes of fifhes, returns into 
their blood, and fupports them in the engendring 
feafon, when they purfue the bufinefs of generation 
with fo much eagernefs as to neglect their food. 
_  Waft quantities of ling is falted for exportation, as 
well as for home confumption. When it is cut or 
{plit for curing, it muft meafure twenty-fix inches or 
upwards from the fhoulder to the tail; if lefs than 
_* This branch of trade was confiderable fo long ago as the 
reign of Edward III. an act for regulating the price of Lod, 
Ling, and Cod, being made in his 31ft year. 
that 
