COAL-FISH. 145 



the Northern seas, and is found in some parts of 

 the Mediterranean. Vast shoals appear in the 

 British seas during the spring ; keeping at the di- 

 stance of about half a mile to that of three from the 

 shore : they are caught in vast numbers by the line, 

 and afford excellent diversion : their food consists 

 of small fishes, sea-insects and worms : they are 

 said to be particularly fond of sprats and young 

 herrings, with which the fishermen generally bait 

 for them, and in defect of these with pieces of fresh 

 herring, one being sufficient, when cut, for -twenty 

 baits. According to Dr. Bloch the chief time of 

 the Whiting fishery in France is in the months of 

 January and February, though in England and 

 Holland it is practised at a much later period. The 

 Whiting spawns in December and January. 



COAL-FISH. 



Gadus Carbonarius. G. nigricans, subtus subargenieus, maxilla 



inferiore longiore, linea laterali recta alba. 

 Blackish Gadus, subargenteous beneath,, with the lower jaw 



longer than the upper, and strait, white lateral line. 

 Gadus Carbonarius. G. tripterygius imberbis, maxilla inferiore 



longiore 3 linea laterali recta. Lin. Syst, Nat. p. 438. Bloch. 



pi. 66. 



Coal-Fish. Penn, Brit. Zool. 3. 



The Coal-Fish, when full grown, is, in general, 

 readily distinguished from its congeners by its very 

 dark or black colour, though in this respect it some- 



v. iv. p. h 10 



