192 ON THE ECONOMICAL USES OF FISHES. 



great numbers are caught, principally, it is said, in 

 the Severn. It is then much finer than when taken 

 in the sea, and the flesh more delicate. It is taken 

 in almost all our northern seas, even the Caspian ; 

 but is more abundant in North America, and there 

 of more importance to man than elsewhere. 



The white-bait fishery, as carried on in the Thames, 

 is one of peculiar interest, not to say productive of 

 considerabls benefit to those concerned, on account 

 of the esteem in which it is held by the Londoners, 

 who resort in vast numbers to Blackwall, Green- 

 wich, and other places where it is most abundant, 

 to enjoy a fish dinner in certain taverns of white- 

 bait notoriety. According to Mr. Yarrell, white- 

 bait, Clupea alba, are taken in long bag-nets from 

 vessels moored in the tide- way, and the fish are taken 

 out by untying the end of the hose, and shaking it 

 into the bor.t. 



As this fish has lately been discovered, among 

 other places, about Queensferry, and in the Solway 

 Frith, whe/ it has not been disturbed, its fishery 

 in these pi* ;es might be turned to some account, as 

 remarked by Dr. Parnell, who was among the first 

 to discover it in the localities just mentioned. 



We shall J low pass on to consider another series 

 of fish, the Pleuronectidce of naturalists, or flat-fish, 

 the taking of which is called the flat-fishery. 



The plai. * Platessa vulgaris, is held in high esti- 

 mation for le table. " It inhabits sandy banks and 

 muddy places in the sea." It is often taken with 

 lines, but, in the south of England, where it some- 



