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Appendices to Fourth Annual Report 



is, as was the case in the haddock examined, entirely absent, while its 

 deep water congener, H. coarctatus, is extremely abundant. 



Pyciiogonum littorale, which we have not met with in the haddocks' 

 stomachs examined, was found plentifully in one stomach of the cod, 

 from Berwick in May last. This species is mainly littoral in its habit, 

 and is abundant under stones between tidemarks. In such a habitat it 

 W'ould scarcely appear available as food for the cod, and it would be 

 interesting to know how the specimens here recorded were obtained. 

 The list of Mollusca, given in Table I., is rather a short one, shorter 

 indeed than might have been expected, judging from the omnivorous 

 reputation of the cod. We have only identified six species, which 

 have also occurred in the stomachs of the haddock. Of these Aiiomia^ 

 Solen, Buccimim, and Fusiis, appear to be the most frequent moUuscan 

 forms in both cases. The sea hare (Aplysia) has been met with in only 

 one stomach from Stornoway. Of the squids, which at times form an 

 important part of the food of the cod and other Gadidae, we have as yet 

 only met with one species (Eledone) in the stomachs of the cod. 

 Professor M'Intosh has recorded both this species and Loligo as of 

 frequent occurrence in the stomachs of cod and haddock captured at 

 St Andrews. It may generally be stated that so far as the material at 

 our disposal goes, the molluscan food of the cod consists in the main of 

 mature or well-grown forms, whereas the haddock appears to prefer the 

 fry and immature individuals. 



A glance at the list of fishes in Table I. will show what an 

 important part these play in the food of the cod, yet the list of species 

 is by no means a long one. Haddock, flounders, and herring are 

 particularly abundant, while other species do not appear to contribute 

 in an important degree to the food supply. We are indebted to the 

 Fishery oflScers for the greater part of our statistics included in the 

 list of fishes. It is therefore possible that species which are in reality 

 distinct have been grouped together in some cases, under a common 

 English name. For instance, flounders were found in 39 stomachs, 

 but it is probable that all the specimens included under this head 

 were not Pleuroiiectes flesus. At any rate, such common forms as 

 Pleuronectes platessa and P. limanda may have formed part of their 

 number. Pleuronectes microcepliahis (the long dab) has been recorded 

 in the stomach of the cod by the Fishery olQ&cer at Berwick. This 

 spfecies is not nearly so plentiful as some of the other flat fishes. 

 Specimens of this form are locally known as ' Witches,' a name 

 which appears to be commonly applied to this species along the 

 East Coast of Scotland, though it is not included in Dr Day's list of 

 local names. The only particulars we have as to the frequency of the 

 whiting as food of the cod have been supplied by the Fishery officer at 

 Berwick. In other cases the whiting has probablj^ been included under 

 the heading ' Haddock ' in the statistics supplied. Although these two 

 species may be distinguished at a glance in the fresh condition, they are 

 not so easily identified when partly digested. The dark ' thumb-mark ' 

 behind the pectoral fins in the haddock, by which this species is at once 

 recognised, soon disappears under the influence of the digestive fluids, as 

 does also the barbel. The shape of the two species is undoubtedly difi"erent, 

 but even this is not a safe guide when the fish remains are much digested. 



It may, however, be safely stated that the whiting forms a more 

 important part of the food of the cod than the particulars here given 

 would lead one to suppose. It is probable also that both haddock 

 and whiting, and perhaps other Gadidce are included under the heading 

 ' White Fish' and ' Small Fish.' 



