HISTOEY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 343 



measuring over six inclies in length. As the meshes of the net were yery largo, the 

 greater portion readily escaped ; bnt with a seine properly constructed, enough could be 

 readily procured to suppl} the American maikets." 



Massachusetts, Stoeer, New York, Mitchill, Valekciennes. Kew Jersey, 

 Baieb. 



JUGULARES. 



Ventrals attached under the pectorals, and the pelvis immediately suspended to the 

 bones of the shoulder. 



FAMILY XVIII. GADID^. 



Body elongated, but little compressed, cohered with soft scales not veiy voluminous. 

 The head well-proportioned, and without scales. All their fins soft. The jaws and 

 the front of the vomer are aimed with pointed, irregular teeth, middling or small-sized, 

 in several rows, forming a sort of currycomb or rasp ; their gills are large, vrith seven 

 rays. Ventrals separate, jugular. Almost all have two or three fins on the back, one 

 or two behind the anus, and a distinct caudal. Their stomach is in the form of a large 

 anjj strong sac ; their coeca are very numerous, and their caudal tolerably long. They 

 have a large air-bladder, with strong parietes, and frequently dentated in the sides. 



GENUS L MOEEHUA, Cuv. 



Three dorsal fins ; two anal ; ventrals pointed. A baibel at the end of the lower 

 jaw. 



MoEEHiJA Ameeicana, Storer. 

 The American Cod. 



(Plate XXVII. Fig. 4.) 



Gadus callfina% Common Cod of New To?/c, Mitchill, Tians. Lit, and Phil Soc of N Y, i p 367 

 Moirliua Americana, American Cod, Stores, Eeport, p 120. 



" " Dekat, Eeport, p 274, pi 44, fig 140 



" " StobeRj Mem Amer. Acad"; Kew Series, ii p. 467. 



" *' " Synopsis, p 215. 



Color. An individnal twenty-eight inches in length presents the following appear- 

 ances. Back ash-colored ; sides lighter ; back, sides^ and part of the head covered with 

 yellowish spots, which are rather larger and more distinct upon the sides ; beneath, dusky- 



