366 A DESCRIPTION OF 
these fisheries are from a hundred to two hundred tons 
burden, and will each catch thirty thousand Cod, or up- 
wards. The best season is from the beginning of Febru- 
ary to the end of April. Each fisherman takes only one 
Cod at a time, and yet the more experienced will catch 
from three to four hundred in a day. It is fatiguing 
work, owing particularly to the intense cold they are 
obliged to suffer during the operation. 
Cod frequently grow to a very great size. The largest 
that is known to have been caught in this kingdom was 
taken at Scarborough, in the year 1775 ; it measured five 
feet eight inches in length, and five feet in circumference, 
and weighed seventy-eight pounds. The usual weight of 
these fish is from fourteen to forty pounds. 
THE HADDOCK (Gadus ceglefinus,) 
Is much less in size than the cod-fish, and differs some- 
what from it in shape ; it is of a bluish colour on the back, 
with small scales ; a black line is carried on from the 
upper corner of the gills on both sides down to the tail ; 
in the middle of the sides, under the line a little beneath 
the gills, is a black spot on each shoulder, which resem- 
bles the mark of a man's finger and thumb ; from which 
circumstance it is called St. Peter's fish, alluding to the 
