"Whitish, grayish on the back: lower jaw longest".

M. vulgaris, Mem. Brit. An. p. 195. Gadus Merluccius, Linn. Syst. Nat. torn. i. p. 439. Bloch, Ichth. pl. 164. Don. Brit. Fish. vol. ii. pl. 28. Turt. Brit. Faun. p. 91. Asellus primus, Will. Hist. Pise. p. 174. tab. L. m. 2. n. 1. Hake, Penn. Brit. Zool. vol. in. p. 191. Id. (Edit. 1812). vol. iii. p. 257. Merlus ordinaire, Cuv. Reg. An. torn. ii. p. 333.

Length

From eighteen inches to nearly three feet. Penn.

Description

Of a slender elongated form: head large, broad, and flat-tish: mouth very wide: lower jaw longest: teeth very long and sharp, particularly those of the lower jaw: near the eyes four small perforations: lateral line straight, nearer the back, beginning with several small tubercles near the head: vent nearer the head: first dorsal small, and pointed: the second reaching from the base of the first almost to the tail; the last rays highest: pectorals and ventrals pointed: caudal nearly even: number of fin-rays,

D. 9 - 38 to 40; A. 36 to 39; C. 18; P. 12 to 15; V. 7 or 8. Penn. & Turt.

Said to be found in vast abundance on many of our coasts, particularly those of Ireland. Rare, according to Fleming, in Scotland. A coarse Ash, and seldom admitted to table.