COMMON COD. 135 



ing to the different seasons in which the fish is 

 taken : the lateral line, which is one of the principal 

 distinctive marks of the species, is broad and 

 whitish, and the scales are somewhat larger than in 

 others of the genus. 



The food of the Cod is either small fish, worms, 

 testaceous or crustaceous animals, such as crabs, 

 large whelks, &c. its digestion is so powerful as to 

 dissolve the greatest part of the shells it swallows : 

 it is very voracious, catching at any small body it 

 perceives moved by the water, even stones and 

 pebbles, which are often found in the stomach. 

 The fishermen are well acquainted with the use of 

 the air bladder or sound of this fish, and dexterously 

 perforate the living fish with a needle, in order to 

 let out the air contained in that part ; for without 

 this operation the fish could not be kept under 

 water in the well-boats, and brought fresh to market. 

 The sounds when salted, are reckoned a delicacy, 

 and are often brought in this state from Newfound- 

 land. A species of Isinglass is also prepared from 

 this part of the fish by the natives of Iceland, 



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