GADOIDEjE. 



253 



[101.] 1. Gadus (Phycis) punctatus (Mitch.) Spotted Phycis. 



Family, Gadoidex. Cuv. Genus, Gadus. Linn. Sub-genus, Phycis. Aktedi. 

 Spotted cod (Gadus punctatus). Mitchill, i., p. 372. 



The sub-genus phycis is characterised by the ventrals containing only a single 

 ray, which is often forked. The head is large, there is a barbel attached to the 

 chin, and there are two dorsals, the second of which is long. The Spotted phycis 

 is figured and described by Dr. Mitchill as one of the New York fish, though he 

 says it is the rarest of this family in that quarter. Our wood-cut is from a sketch 

 made by Lieutenant-Colonel Hamilton Smith, of a specimen which was captured 

 off Halifax, Nova Scotia. 



" Length ten inches. Colour of the back and sides pale brown or whitish, with lines 

 between the scales ; of the neck and belly dull white with suffusions of cream colour. First 

 dorsal marked above with a black spot surmounted by the white tips of the rays. Anal 

 brownish edged with black. Lateral line distinct and peculiar, consisting of a narrow black 

 mark, alternating at spaces of half an inch apart, with white dashes about one-eighth of an 

 inch long. In some individuals there is an imperfect whitish straight fillet under the lateral 

 line. The chin has one small cirrhus. Ventrals two cleft, the second ray two inches long. 

 Rays.— P. 13; V. 1 ; D. 9—47 ; A. 47 ; C. 23." Mitchill, I. c. 



