GEN. HIPPOGLOSSUS. THE HOLIBUT. 231 



state where he saw it.* It is not an uncommon 

 fish on the coasts of Scotland and east of England ; 

 but it is less known on the southern shores of the 

 latter. In Ireland it occurs nearly in the same 

 numbers as in Scotland. Its proper residence is in 

 northern latitudes. Mr. Swainson believes that it 

 is not found in the Mediterranean, while in the op- 

 posite direction it extends to Norway, Iceland, and 

 Greenland. It is rather remarkable that it has not 

 been observed in the Baltic. It abounds in some 

 parts of the North American coasts. 



Its food is much the same as that of the other 

 flat fish, but its larger size, and long, sharp, curved 

 teeth enable it to seize and devour prey of consider- 

 able size and strength. As instances of its voracity, 

 Pennant mentions that it has been known, oftener 

 than once, to swallow the lead weight at the end of 

 a line with which seamen were sounding. It spawns 

 in spring ; and the roe, which is very numerous, is 

 of a pale red colour. " In the Firth of Forth, Holi- 

 but inhabits deep and rocky places, and is frequently 

 taken of large size near Inchkeith and in the neigh- 

 bourhood of the Bass. In the months of July and 

 August specimens are caught about a foot and a 

 half in length, and sold in the Edinburgh market at 

 the rate of fourpence a pound, where they are named 

 Holibut-turbot, and are frequently disposed of as 

 Turbot."* 



This fish is not in much estimation as food, being 



* Fauna Orcadensis, p. 214. 



f Hem. Wern. Nat. Hist. Soc. vii. p. 373. 



