PISCES. 
45 
fishes, and that no distinct fish occurs. In some years white- 
bait swarm on our coasts. 
Allice Shad. {AIom vidgaris). Damon (qu : Dame of the) herring. 
A large and beautiful herring of most delicate fiavour. 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 {JSngraulu enorasicliohis.) This fish has been taken 
occasionally in St Ives Bay, but my experience of it is that 
it is not common. 
(The Codfish Teibb). 
The Cod {Gadus morrhua.) Common off aU 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. 
T)orse (^Morrhua caTla/rias . ) 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. 
Saddock {^Morrhua aglifinus.) 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. 
^lind {Morrhua, lusca) Bib. Whiting pout. Blens. Very 
common, and when of 2 lbs weight and upwards excellent 
F 
