FISHES FOUND IN THE VICINITY OF WOODS HOLE. 
107 
MERLUCCIIDiE. The Hakes. 
189 . Merluccius bilinearis (Mitchill). Silver Hake; Whiting; “Frostfish.” (* +) 
Abundant every fall; some years common in summer. The fish swims close to the shore, and is 
caught in considerable numbers in Buzzards Bay at night with spears, for home use and sale in New 
Bedford. The weight of those thus taken is about a pound, but those caught in traps usually weigh 
5 or 6 pounds. Young specimens, 2A to 3 inches long, are seined in fall about Woods Hole. 
GADIDA3. The Cods. 
190 . Pollachius virens (Linnaeus). “Pollock." (* t) 
Adult fish appear in Vineyard Sound and Great Harbor in May, following the run of cod. They 
depart when temperature of water reaches 60° or 65°. There is no regular fishing with lines, but 
many are caught in traps at Menemsha. Fyke nets set in the harbor take pollock 7 or 8 inches long 
in February and March. In April there is a run of fish 1 to 1| inches long; by June these have 
attained a length of 4 inches. The fish leave in June. In fall there is a small run of fish 7 or 8 inches 
long. Average weight of adults about 10 pounds, the maximum being 14 pounds. 
191 . Microgadus tomcod (Walbaum), Tomcod; “Frostfish." (* t) 
Abundant in winter, coming about October 1 and remaining till May 1. Spawns in December. 
Many are caught in fykes and sent to the markets. 
192 . Gadus callarias Linnaeus. “ Cod." (* t) 
Appears in Vineyard Sound about April 1 and remains till about May 15, or till the dogfish strike 
on. When the fish first come they feed chiefly on worms, and are known among the fishermen as the 
“worm school”; later they feed on herring, lants, and crabs, and are known as the “herring school.” 
After the middle of October the cod come again, but in less numbers than in spring, and remain until 
the first wintry weather. Young cod are first observed about the 1st of April, when fish about 1 inch 
long are seined. Most of the young leave by June 15, having attained a length of 3 to 4 inches. No 
cod are seen between fish of that size and those weighing !$• to 2 jiounds caught in traps in spring. 
There is now but little line fishing for cod in Vineyard Sound, although there is some off Gay Head. 
193 . Melanogrammus aeglifinus (Linnseus). “ Haddock. " (* t) 
' Not detected in Vineyard Sound or Buzzards Bay, but common 6 or 7 miles off Gay Head and on 
ocean side of Marthas Vineyard. Reported by Professor Baird in 1871. 
194 . Phycis regius (Walbaum). Codling; King Hake. (* t) 
Rare. Taken in seine only late in fall. Varies in length from 7 to 12 inches. 
195 . Phycis tenuis (Mitchill;. Squirrel Hake ; White Hake; “Hake." (* t) 
Fish weighing 1 to 14 pounds abundant in October and November. A great many then enter Eel 
Pond. Young fish, 1 inch long and upward, associate with pollock in spring and are also found 
throughout the summer in considerable numbers. They are often obtained in summer at the surface, 
under gulf-weed and eelgrass. 
196 . Phycis chuss (Walbaum). “Hake." (* t) 
Abundant in May and June and in October and November. They fill the traps and cause fisher- 
men much annoyance, as there is no sale for them. They weigh from 2 to 5 pounds. 
197 . Rhinonemus cimbrius (Linnseus). Four-bearded Rockling. (* t) 
A rare visitor, found only in winter. Once taken in a fyke net in Great Harbor. 
198 . Brosmius brosme (Miiller). Cusk; “Ling.” (* t) 
Formerly not uncommon in Vineyard Sound, and caught with cod in April and May. Very rare 
for twenty years or more, although a few are still taken in April. Average weight is 5 pounds; 
maximum, 12 or 13 pounds. 
MACRURIDJE. The Grenadiers. 
199 . Macrourus bairdii Goode & Bean. Baird’ s Grenadier. (*) 
Very rare. Obtained once in Vineyard Sound by the Fish Hawk at a depth of 9 fathoms, on 
August 26, 1882. 
