FISHES-GADIDAE-MORRHUA. 
141 
There are two or three dorsal fins ; one or two anals. The ventrals being inserted in advance 
of the thoracic arch, hence jugular in position. 
The gills are four in number, fully developed. The pseudo-branchiae, on the other hand, are 
not visible. The stomach is elongated, strongly muscular ; there are also numerous pyloric 
appendages. The swimming or air bladder has no air duct; it is well developed and strong, 
and occasionally indentated on the sides. 
Syn. — Gadidae, Bonap. Sagg. distr. anim. vert. 1831, 117.— DeIvay, New Y. Fauna, IV, 1842, 274.— Storer, Synops. 
1846, 215. 
Gadoideae, Richards. Faun. Bor. Amer. Ill, 1836, 241. 
The Gadoids are comparatively scarce along the coast of California and Oregon. Besides the 
two species hereon described, there is but another known to naturalists. It has been put on 
scientific record under the appellation of 
Brosmius marginatus. 
Syn.— Brosmius marginatus, Ayres, in Proc. Cal. Acad. Nat. Sc. I, 1854, 13. 
And since no specimens have, so far, been seen by us, we must refer our readers to the 
description just alluded to. 
We regret not having had more perfect specimens of the pollack, to which was affixed the 
name of 
Merlangus productus, 
Syn. —Merlangus productus, Ayres, in Proc. Cal. Acad. Nat. Sc. I, 1855, 64, 
in order to clear up the doubts that still exist touching its identity with, or specific difference 
from, Homalopomus trowhridgii, described further on. 
The seas of Kamtschatka, however, furnish several more species of this family, which it is 
desirable should be better known. Thus Gadus ivachna, Pall., G. gracilis , Tiles., and G. pyg~ 
maeus , Pall, appear to fall within the characters of Morrhua ; whilst Gadus chalcogrammus, 
Pall, is a Merlangus , and Gadus fimbria , Pall, probably a Merlucius. 
The “North Pacific Exploring Expedition” ought to enlighten us upon that subject. 
MORRIIUA, (Belon !! ), Cuv. 
Gen. Char. —Body and head elongated. Mouth moderate in size, or well developed, the upper jaw generally protruding 
beyond the lower. Chin provided with a barbel. Card or velvet-like teeth upon the jaws and front of the vomer. Palatine 
bones toothless. Tongue smooth. Gill apertures wide and continuous under the head. Branchiostegal rays, six or seven on 
either side. Three dorsal and two anal fins, generally distinct. Upper surface of head and opercular apparatus covered with 
minute scales. Scales of the body small, or of medium size, cycloid in structure. 
Syn. — Morrhua, (Belon !!), Cuv. Regn. Anim II, 1817,212 ; 2d ed. II, 1829 ; &, ed illustr. Poiss. 291.— Rich. Faun. Bor. 
Amer. Ill, 1836, 242.— Storer, Synops. 1846, 215.— DeIvay, New Y. Fauna, IV, 1842, 274. 
It would have been desirable that the name of Gadus be preserved for a certain number of 
species of this family, and especially for some of those which are now included in the genus 
Morrhua ; the two genera, Gadus and Morrhua , being retained, in the event only of a convenient 
sub-division into two natural groups of the species now generally referred to the latter genus. 
