rosor.n. 
345 
of tills expevlments liave sTnewn that the most vital portion of 
the brain (encephalon) extends from the part termed pons 
varohi along the whole course of the spinal cord, as far back 
as the second cervical nerve; in any portion of which a wound 
is instantly fatal; whereas behind this point or above it, nearer 
the brain, the effect of a wound is gradually less dangerous. 
(Forbes’ Med. Review, vol. i, p. 560.) 
As an article of food much difference of opinion exists in 
different places concerning this fish; for while rejected as 
worthless, and even with abhorrence, in Scotland, in the west 
of England it is valued and made a principal object of the 
fishery. Nor is this high opinion a matter of modern date, 
since Ave are informed that in the fourteenth century it was* 
admitted as a chief dish to the tables of the highest nobility, 
and it was reserved as a chief rent in the underletting of land! 
With us at present it is purchased by the agricultural ])opulation; 
and much value is set on the milt and roe, on account of the 
fat in which these organs are embedded, and which, from the 
absence of all rancid or disagreeable smell and taste, is employed 
in select cookery. 
There Avas an established trade in the Avest of England for 
a special preparation of this fish in the time of King John; 
for Ave are told that, folloAA'ing the example of his Norman 
predecessors, at the small price of six marks he assigned to 
certain merchants of Bayonne, the same avIio already possessed 
the sole privilege of the Whale fishery, the monopoly of the 
right of drying Congers and INIerluciones, or Hakes, in this 
country; and this, as regards the Congers, we consider to have 
been what in times not long past, was knoAvn as Conger doust 
or douce, (sweet Conger;) the exportation of Avhich Avas to 
Spain, and perhaps to Portugal; but Avhich ceased on our part 
from a falling off in the abundance of these fish; and in Spain, 
as Ave have been informed, from deficiency of sale. The fish 
selected for this preparation were of the smaller size, and Avere 
cut flat through their length, so as that they might be seAvn 
together by their edges, to form a sheet. They Avere then 
hoisted on a frame-Avork, without salt, until the fat had melted, 
dried, or taken flight; and in this state they were grated into 
soup in the countries to which they Avere sent. Dried Congers 
were also prepared in France; but with a better contrivance 
