HYPOGLOSSUS. 215 



ing in size from the palm of the hand to fifteen 

 inches in length by ten in breadth. The floun- 

 der delights in the soft mud about docks, the 

 mouths of rivers, and salt marshes, where it is ta- 

 ken about seven months in the year. In warm 

 weather the flesh is soft, and much less palatable 

 than in the spring or autumn. Its food appears 

 to be marine insects, the spawn of other fishes, 

 and small muscles. About the Boston light-house, 

 at low tide, flounders are taken by spears, of all 

 sizes, for baiting lobster-pots. 



GEN. HYPOGLOSSUS, 



HOLIBUT, Hypoglossus Vulgaris. In this 

 genus, the holibut is the most conspicuous. It is 

 a voracious fish, pursuing crabs, small lobsters, &ic. 

 but feeds principally, it is supposed, on shell-fish, 



THE HOLIBUT. 



which are so common on soundings, as the coast 

 of New England is approached. In the vicinity 



