The Sand-dab or Rough-dab 



north of Cape Mendocino, but abundant in Monterey Bay, where 

 great numbers are taken by Chinamen on set-lines baited with 

 anchovies. It reaches a length of 18 inches, and a weight of 6 

 or 8 pounds, the average being about 3 pounds. As a food-fish 

 it is one of the best of the family. Great numbers are dried 

 yearly by the Chinese, who suspend them by strings on a frame 

 placed on the roofs of the houses, as they are too fleshy to dry 

 well on tables. Here they rustle in the wind, and, striking to- 

 gether, produce a sound like the wind among the leaves. 



GENUS HIPPOGLOSSOIDES GOTTSCHE 



Body oblong, moderately compressed; mouth rather large, 

 with i row of sharp teeth in each jaw; no teeth on vomer or 

 palatines; lateral line nearly straight, simple; eyes and colour on 

 right side, except in H. elassodon. 



This genus contains 3 or 4 species, only 2 of which are of 

 any importance. The sand-dab, or rough-dab, H. platessoides, is 

 found in the North Atlantic, and as far south as Woods Hole. 

 It is abundant on the English coast, and is a well-known food- 

 fish in Scandinavia. It is found off the New England coast in 

 rather deep water. It reaches 2 feet in length, and a weight of 

 3 or 4 pounds. As a food-fish it is highly esteemed, especially 

 in Europe. 



H. elassodon occurs from Bering Sea south to Puget Sound. 

 It is common about the wharves at Seattle, Port Townsend and 

 Tacoma, where it takes the hook readily and affords the boys 

 much sport. It reaches a length of 15 or 1 8 inches, a weight of 

 2 or 3 pounds, and is a good food-fish. 



The single species of Tsettichthys is P. melanostictus. This is 

 one of the most common flounders on the Pacific Coast from 

 Monterey Bay to Sitka, and is everywhere known as "sole." 

 It attains a length of about 20 inches, and a weight of 4 or 5 

 pounds, the average length being perhaps 15 inches. Although 

 never found in large numbers, it is always present in the mar- 

 kets, and is considered a good food-fish. 



525 



