GADOIDEiE. 247 



[97.] 1. Gadus (Merlangus) carbonarius. Coal-fish. 



Family, Gadoidese. Cuv. Genus, Gadus. Linn. Sub-genus, Merlangus. Cuv. 

 Merlangus carbonarius {Coal-Jisli). Sabine, App. Parry's First Voy., p. ccxi. 



The merlangi, or coal-fish, differ from the true cod in having no barbels ; they 

 derive their English name from the dusky pigment which tinges their skin, and 

 which, when they are handled, soils the fingers like moist coal. Specimens of the 

 Common coal-fish, from four to five inches long, were taken in a trawl-net on the 

 west coast of Davis' Strait, on Sir Edward Parry's first voyage. This fish, when full 

 grown, bears a considerable resemblance to the salmon in the size of its scales and 

 elegant form, notwithstanding its dark hue. It swims near the surface, and occa- 

 sionally takes a mackerel-hook towed along in a smart breeze. The young resort 

 to the rocky bays of the Orkneys and Hebrides in immense numbers, where, accord- 

 ing to the period of their growth, they are known by the names of cuddy, sithe, seth, 

 and sillock. They rise eagerly at an artificial fly of the rudest construction, and 

 are secured with so much facility, and in such numbers, that an amateur angler 

 would think lightly of the sport, even were he to overcome his disgust at the dirty 

 colour and disagreeable smell his hands acquire in taking the fish from the hook. 

 They yield, however, a plentiful harvest to the northern fisherman, who thus obtains 

 both food, and oil for his lamp, with little exertion. On the Yorkshire coast the 

 young are called parrs, and when a year old billets. They are said not to attain 

 their full size until they are four years of age. The species is reported to exist 

 sparingly in the Mediterranean. 



The merlangus vulgaris, or Whiting, is enumerated in the list of the Massa- 

 chusetts fish by Dr. J. V. C. Smith, and the same, or a very similar one, of the 

 New York seas, is named gadus albidus, by Dr. Mitchill. La Hontan also says 

 that whitings, like those of Europe, exist in the estuary of the St. Lawrence. 



[98.] 2. Gadus (Merlangus) Polaris. (Sabine.) Polar Coal-fish. 



Merlangus polaris. Sabine, Parry's First Voy.; Ross, App. Parry's Third Voy., p. 110. 

 Idem, Parry s Polar Voy., p. 199. Idem, Sir John Ross's Second Voy., App. p. li. 



This small species was taken on Sir Edward Parry's first voyage of discovery 

 whilst swimming among the surface ice of Baffin's Bay ; multitudes were gathered 



