1838. HOUSE—No. 72. 47 
but. The flesh of this fish is rather coarse and dry, but is by many 
highly esteemed. An unusual number of this species were brought 
to Boston market in the early part of 1837, and were all sold at con- 
siderable profit. Eighty large schooners of from 60 to 80 tons 
burthen, belonging to Cape Ann were thus employed. Smoked, this 
fish is quite a delicacy : and when dried, as is the usual habit with 
the Greenlanders, it is, I can affirm, far from uninviting. 
Among the Anguilliformes—the Muraena Bostoniensis—common 
eel—is taken along our whole coast, as well as in the rivers and 
ponds of the state. In winter, great quantities are speared through 
the ice :——those taken at this season, however, are not as large, nor 
is their flesh as rich, as those which are captured in summer. 
The markets are usually supplied from the rivers, where they are 
taken in nets. At Medford, nets are stretched across the river, hav- 
ing in their middle a large bag, capable of containing from 15 to 20 
bushels : as the eels are going up or down the river, they are thus 
caught ; and are kept alive for the supply of the market in large 
ditches excavated near the river, which are supplied by the tide with 
water. About 3,000 pounds are yearly taken at Watertown. 
Although many species and even genera belonging to the second 
great division—Chondrop terygii—Cartilaginous fishes—are made 
useful in other countries—they are almost entirely neglected with us. 
The Acipensor sturio —common sturgeon—in the north of Europe, 
not only furnishes, by its flesh, an acceptable food ; but its atr-blad- 
der is converted into isinglass, and its roe into caviar. 
The Raia clavata— Thornback—when salted, is eaten by great 
numbers of the poor in many parts of Great Britain. And the Pe- 
tromyzon marinus—Sea lamprey—is highly esteemed there, as an 
article of food. Iam not aware that any species are taken for use 
by our fishermen, save the Carcharias glaucus— Blue Shark—and 
the Spinaz acanthias—Picked dog-fish—and these only, occasion- 
ally ; although both, at some seasons of the year might be taken in 
large quantities, and would prove of no inconsiderable value. The 
liver of the former furnishes a valuable oil. Seven gallons of oil 
are not unfrequently extracted from the liver of a single fish. And 
although it is generally used only by the curriers, yet, when care- 
fully prepared by boiling the fresh liver, it is as good as whale oul, 
