CLASS PISCES.
99
Many young ones, called "Codling," are, however, captured in
the finest condition all round the coast by hooks and nets.
Dale says (History of Harwich, p. 427): " Cod-fish is to be
caught, in the season, before this [Harwich] Harbour."
Gadus macrocephala, Tiles. Large-headed Cod.
Dr. Day (Journ. Linn. Soc, vol. xiv., no. 80, p. 689)
describes a specimen caught in the mouth of the Thames,
at Southend. This is also recorded in the Zoologist (1880,
p. 26).
Yarrell saw a large one from the mouth of the Thames;
but he considered the abnormal size to be due to disease.
The local fishermen call this variety " Lord-fish " (cf. Day's
Fishes of Great Britain, vol. i., p. 278).
Gadus aeglefinus, Linn. Haddock.
I have occasionally taken this species in some numbers
in the Crouch ; but I do not think it is a very common fish
on the Essex coast. A large number were observed and
taken, off Purfleet, by the officers of the training-ship Cornwall
in 1879 (Land and Water, March 1st, 1879, p. 179). They have
also been noted in Dagenham Breach (ibid., March 22nd,
1879, p. 236), by Mr. P. Hood, who communicated his
surprise at finding them in fresh water to F. Buckland. The
latter's explanation that the water of Dagenham Breach
was brackish accounted for the Haddock choosing it as a
spawning ground.
Gadus luscus, Linn. Bib or Whiting Pout (Locally, Wule
or Whiting Wule).
This is extremely common during the winter, and is known
among the Essex fishermen by the name of "Wule." It is
delicate eating, but I do not consider it of much value. When
freshly caught, the colouring is extremely beautiful ; but the
brilliancy soon passes off, and the scales are easily detached.