GEX. PLATESSA, COMMON PLAICE. 223 



wlien others fail, it may always be recognised by a 

 row of bony tubercles forming a curved line from 

 the posterior part of the prominent ridge between 

 the orbits of the eyes to the commencement of the 

 lateral line. The usual length is from a foot to 

 eighteen inches ; but there are instances of its at- 

 taining very large dimensions. Pennant says they 

 are sometimes taken of the w^eight of fifteen pounds, 

 but that they seldom reach that size, one of eight or 

 nine pounds being reckoned a large fish. At the 

 time when the celebrated naturalist just named was 

 collecting materials for the history of our native 

 animals, the best and largest Plaice were taken off 

 Rye, on the coast of Sussex. February and March 

 are the spawning season, when it frequents sand- 

 banks more than at otlier times, and approaches 

 the shores. It is in highest condition for the table 

 in the month of May. In the month of August, 

 according to Dr. Parnell, the young are seen from 

 two to three inches in length at the mouths of 

 rivers, but they seldom ascend beyond the influence 

 of the tide. They are common in almost every part 

 of the Frith of Forth, but are seldom met with of 

 large size in that estuary. The young are frequently 

 called Fleuks in the Edinburgh 7; arket. Low says 

 of this species that it is frequently found on the 

 bank of the harbour of Stromness, and at the top of 

 the bay ; likewise in the bay of Skeal, and other 

 flat sandy shores round the Orkneys. It does not 

 extend far north, and seems to be unknown in 

 Greenland. 



