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No. 24. PLAICE. 



Pleuronectes />/<// c.v.v<;, Linmeus. 

 Also Pleuronectes gluciiili?;. Pallas, from Northern waters. 



Usual extreme length : jS inches, hut examples from Iceland 

 may exceed this length; the majority of those usually marketed 

 do not run above 15 inches. 



Description: H\es situated on the right side of the body, a 

 bony ridge extending- across the upper margin of the gill-cover 

 and between the eyes ; number of fin rays similar to that of 

 the Dab, but the smooth scales and the comparatively straight 

 lateral line serve to distinguish the species from its smaller ally. 

 Coloration brown, or golden brown, with a number of red or 

 orange spots. 



The Plaice spawns in the earlv part of the year; its food 

 consists of shellfish, marine worms, etc. 



Range: From the North Coasts of Huropc and Iceland to the 

 Bay of Biscay. 



Remarks: 1 .1 the market, three distinct categories uf size are recog- 

 nised in this important food-fish, viz. : 'Large'" (North Sea), 2lbs. to 

 3^1bs. or more, (Iceland) ,?lbs. to .ilbs. ; 'Medium," -|lb. to 2lbs. ; 

 " Small," under -|lb. The value of these three classes differs materially. 

 that of the medium being the highest. Small Plaice are often marketed 

 as ' : Flounders.'' By far the greatest quantity of Plaice landed in this 

 country comes from the North Sea, but a large supply is also derived 

 from the White Sea, and Iceland: the Barents Sea also proves, at 

 times, a profitable fishing ground. 



The Plaice is essentially a fish for frying, either whole or in fillets, 

 when of small or medium size. The smaller fish are excellent when 

 prepared in spirer' vinesar. 



