PISCES. 



45 



fishes, and that no distinct fish occurs. In some years white- 

 bait swarm on our coasts. 



Allice Shad. (Alosa vulgaris). Damon (qu : Dame of the) herring. 

 A large and beautiful herring of most delicate flavour. It 

 is by no means uncommon, but is frequently confounded 

 with herring proper. 



Twaite Shad. (Alosa finta). Not so common as the Allice Shad, 

 but like it, of excellent flavour, and often confounded with 

 herring. 



Anchovy (Engraulis encrasicholus.) This fish has been taken 

 occasionally in St Ives Bay, but my experience of it is that 

 it is not common. 



GA DIDJE. — (The Codfish Tribe). 



The Cod (Gadus morrhua.) Common off all our coasts but 

 rarely taken in good condition for the table. The best are 

 those which have the deepest groove or depression at the 

 back of the head, and the largest " belly," (i.e. greatest 

 depth and distension of the stomach under the first dorsal 

 fin.) Those that fail in this respect, are called by the fisher- 

 men, " churchyard cod" and are sure to turn out woolly 

 and watery. No naturalist should ever allow the stomach 

 of a cod to be thrown away without examination. Being 

 bottomfeeders on crustaceans they are invaluable as 

 collectors. 



Dorse (Morrhua callarias.) This fish is by no means uncommon, 

 but it is generally confounded with cod, to which it is very 

 similar. A cod of rich red brown color over the back will 

 probably turn out to be a dorse. There are external dis- 

 tinctions sufficient to mark the two species but the texture 

 of the flesh is a certain guide. The dorse is firmer and less 

 flaky than the cod, superior to the cod of our seas, but 

 inferior to the "head and shoulders" of London. It also 

 is a good collector. 



Haddock (Morrhua ceglifinus.) An excellent fish for the table in 

 midwinter, but of most uncertain habitat. It frequents a 

 rocky ground in large numbers for years, and then it 

 suddenly leaves it, and is found in some new locality. 



Blind (Morrhua lusca) Bib. Whiting pout. Blens. Yery 

 common, and when of 2 lbs weight and upwards excellent 



