Two species are to be found on our shores--the Lesser Sand Eel (_Ammodytes tobianus_), and the Greater Sand Eel (_A. lanceolatus_), the former attaining a length of six or seven inches, and the latter nearly three times this size. They may be seen off the south coast, swimming in shoals over sandy bottoms, and when disturbed they descend and burrow into the sand with remarkable agility. They approach the shore so closely that they are often washed up by the waves, but immediately disappear into the sand; and large numbers commonly remain behind as the tide recedes, burying themselves to the depth of a few inches, and are dug out by fishermen for bait. The smaller species is by far the more common, and is taken in large numbers by means of the draw net to be sold as food. It is particularly abundant at Teignmouth, where it is known as the Sand Sprat, and forms an important article of diet. Quite a number of our important food-fishes belong to the Cod family (_Gadiadæ_), and although some of these are caught almost entirely in deep water some distance from shore, others give employment to the angler fishing from rocks, piers, and jetties. In all, the gill-openings are very wide, and the body is covered with small overlapping scales. The caudal fin is quite free, the dorsal is generally divided into three distinct parts which extend over the greater part of the back, and the ventral fin is also frequently divided. [Illustration: FIG. 234.--THE THREE-BEARDED ROCKLING] The typical species--the Cod (_Gadus morrhua_)--is too well known to need a description, and although it is a large fish, often measuring four feet and more, it approaches so close to the shore that it may be caught with a hand line thrown out from rocks or piers. The barbel projecting from the chin denotes that it is a bottom feeder. On the rocky coast of the south the Pollack or Pollock (_G. pollachius_) is very abundant, and may be taken with rod and line from the shore. It also enters estuaries in large numbers, and may be caught close to quays and jetties. This species is a very free biter, and will take almost any of the baits used for sea fishing. It has no barbel. The same genus includes the Whiting (_G. merlangus_), distinguished by a black spot at the base of the pectoral fin and the absence of barbels; the Whiting Pout (_G. luscus_), with a similar black spot at the base of the pectorals, also dark, transverse bands, and a barbel; and the Haddock (_G. æglefinus_), with a black patch on either side above the pectorals, and a dark lateral line. The family also includes the Ling (_Molva vulgaris_) and the Hake (_Merluccius vulgaris_), both of which are caught in deep water; and the Rocklings (genus _Motella_), three species of which frequent our rocky shores. [Illustration: FIG. 235.--THE SNAKE PIPE-FISH]