What is "merlucius vulgaris"

Hake \Hake\, n. [Also haak.] [Akin to Norweg. hakefisk, lit., hook fish, Prov. E. hake hook, G. hecht pike. See Hook.] (Zo["o]l.) One of several species of marine gadoid fishes, of the genera Phycis, Merlucius, and allies. The common European hake is Merlucius vulgaris; the American silver hake or whiting is Merlucius bilinearis. Two American species ( Phycis chuss and Phycis tenius) are important food fishes, and are also valued for their oil and sounds. Called also squirrel hake, and codling.

Whiting \Whit"ing\, n. [From White.]

1. (Zo["o]l.)

   1. A common European food fish ( Melangus vulgaris) of the Codfish family; -- called also fittin.

   2. A North American fish ( Merlucius vulgaris) allied to the preceding; -- called also silver hake.

   3. Any one of several species of North American marine sci[ae]noid food fishes belonging to genus Menticirrhus, especially Menticirrhus Americanus, found from Maryland to Brazil, and Menticirrhus littoralis, common from Virginia to Texas; -- called also silver whiting, and surf whiting. Note: Various other fishes are locally called whiting, as the kingfish

      1. , the sailor's choice

      2. , the Pacific tomcod, and certain species of lake whitefishes.

2. Chalk prepared in an impalpable powder by pulverizing and repeated washing, used as a pigment, as an ingredient in putty, for cleaning silver, etc.

   Whiting pollack. (Zo["o]l.) Same as Pollack.

   Whiting pout (Zo["o]l.), the bib, 2.