484 VERTEBRATE FAUNA OF LAKELAND 



colour on the back is most esteemed. There are some so large 

 as to weigh twenty pounds. But they are so well known in 

 the markets that I think I need describe them no further.' x 

 The term is now chiefly applied to large Codfish which are out 

 of condition. So I am informed, at least, by Mr. W. Nicol, 

 who speaks with authority as a representative fisherman. 



Another name applied to Cod in the Naworth accounts is 

 ' Bodling,' upon which the Eev. G. Ornsby volunteers an amusing 

 note: 'Dr. Simpson, Vicar of Kirkby-Stephen, tells me that 

 this is a fish which is found in Wastwater, more especially at 

 the head of that lake, and still known in the neighbourhood by 

 the name of Bott-ling. I learn from William Jackson, Esq. of 

 Fleatham House, St. Bees, that it is a mule between the salmon 

 and the fresh-water trout. All are males. It is only found 

 where the water is frequented by salmon, never in the 

 mountain tarns where salmon cannot get. In Scotland it is 

 called the bull-trout. Its scientific name is Salmo ferox.' 2 

 Charles Waugh states that the Bodling ' is smaller than the 

 Keeling, and thicker towards the tail ; they are caught from 

 one pound to nine or ten pounds' weight. It is also of the Cod 

 species.' 3 Mr. Nicol tells me that the ' Bodling ' represents the 

 best quality of the white fish caught at Silloth, and runs from 

 seven to twelve pounds in weight. The term ' Bobbin ' is fre- 

 quently entered in the same accounts, but the editor does not 

 seem to have ventured any suggestion as to its meaning. 

 Charles Waugh writes that the ' Bobin ' (sic) is a small Cod : 

 * Seldom exceeding one pound and a half or two pounds 

 weight ; it is thick and short in the body, but drops suddenly 

 small towards the tail. The back-bone, when taken out, seems 

 as if it had been broken and grown together again.' 4 Dr. Day 

 says that the members of the Cod family appear to be very 

 susceptible to disease of the vertebral column. Mr. Nicol tells 

 me that the ' Bobbin ' or ' Bobin ' is a deformed-looking fish, 

 often taken at the end of the winter fishing. He caught two or 



1 Fisherman's Defence, p. 64. 



2 The Household Books of Lord William Howard, p. 78. 



3 Fisherman's Defence, p. 64. 



4 lb. cit., p. 64. 



