SOLE. 245 



ill-flavoured. They feed on marine worms, shrimps, and 

 small crabs. 



The eyes of the Dab, like those of all the preceding 

 species, are situated on the right side of the body. Their 

 colour is a uniform brown above, and white below. The 

 scales are small and rough. There are small spines at 

 the origin of the dorsal and anal fins. The teeth are 

 Dbtuse. 



Sole. Except the turbot, there is no fish of the pre- 

 sent tribe so much in request for the table as the Sole. 

 Its flesh is white, firm, and of excellent flavour. Soles 

 are generally found on sandy shores, and in most seas 

 from the Cape of Good Hope to the Baltic ; and they are 

 usually caught by means of seine and trawl nets. Unlike 

 most other kinds of fish, they may be kept for several 

 days, even in hot weather, without becoming tainted ; and 

 this improves their flavour. It is on this account that 

 the Soles which are brought to the London markets are 

 considered much better for the table than those which are 

 immediately taken from the sea. In the winter they re- 

 tire into deep water. In most of their habits they resem- 

 ble the plaise. 



On the English coasts these fish seldom weigh more 

 than about two pounds ; but on other coasts they are 

 known to weigh so much as seven or eight pounds. 

 Their eyes are on the right side of the body. Soles are 

 oblong, of an olive-colour on the upper parts, and 

 white below. The skins are rough, with small, hard, 

 toothed scales. The fins are olive-coloured, both above 

 and below. 



