102 
HAKTI. 
Whether we are to ascribe it to the superior quality of the 
fish, or to a dltference of taste in the people, there are even 
now places where the Hake is regarded as among the most 
valued of fishes, and where in consequence it bears a high price; 
for whilst with us the Hake of perhaps a dozen iiouiids in 
weight, will be sold for sixpence or less, we have heard of 
half as many shillings as paid for it in Portugal. It seems also 
to be held in estimation at the Gape of Good Hope, where, 
according to Dr. Pappe, this fish was not known before the 
occurrence of an earthquake in December, 1801); and where at 
first it was so scarce as to be sold at the price of four shillings 
and sixpence. Since that time it has increased in that neigh- 
bourhood yearly, and at this time is caught in such abundance 
as to afford a considerable quantity for exportation. In this 
case, however, a question arises with regard to the identity of 
the species with our own; but it is to be remarked that 
Lacepede informs us he had discovered among the manuscripts 
of the well-known naturalist Coinmerson, the mention of a fish 
which bore all the characters of our Hake, and which he had 
met with in the waters of the Southern Ocean. 1 have been 
informed also that it has been found on the coast of California. 
Hakes when salted and dried, without the head and a portion 
of the back-bone, are among the stores laid up by fishermen 
for the sustenance of their families rvhen prevented from fol- 
lowing their usual employment in stormy weather: or when in 
the early months of spring the larger number of our fishes have 
gone into deep water beyond the reach of their lines. 
The length of a Hake may come near to four feet, and a 
large one has been known to weigh twenty-two pounds. Body 
and head moderately lengthened, thick; head wide between the 
eves, moderately compressed at the sides; snout projecting, 
broad, bony;' under jaw longest. Gape wide; teeth strong and 
prominent, arranged like a horse-shoe in front of the palate. 
Eyes moderate; nostrils nearer the eye than the snout. The 
posterior plate of the gill-covcr oval, behind the root of the 
pccloral fin; the divisions of the gill-covers well marked. 'I'he 
lateral line runs high at first, and in a young example passes 
on to the caudal fin obliquely downward. Scales on the chechs 
and body, larger than in most ot this family, and firmly tiseJ. 
The first dorsal fin begins a little behind the root of the 
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