30 THE GAISIE FISH OF XORTH AMEPtlCA. 



these are such as to require enumeration in a work of this 

 description. 



Of the second family, Pleuronectid^, I shall think it enough 

 to mention. 



The Halibut {Hippoglossus Vulgaris), which is the largest 

 species of this family, as well as the best that is taken in 

 American waters ; for the species of Turbot, Rhombus, which is 

 found on the coasts of Massachusetts Bay, and that neighbour- 

 hood, is greatly inferior both in size and quality to the celebrated 

 European fish of the same name. 



The Flounder of New York {Pleuronectes Dentatus), which 

 is also frequently taken, though more commonly by accident, 

 while in pursuit of finer fish, than as the angler's prime object, 

 is rather a delicate fish, and often bites freely. 



With this brief enumeration of sea-fish I shall content myself, 

 as the description and habits of others, though curious and 

 full of interest to the icthyologist and student of nature, 

 belong rather to the department of science, than to the craft of 

 the angler. 



I may, however, mention, not as objects but accessories of the 

 sport, the Atherine {AtherinaMenidia), avariety of the fish known 

 in England as the Sand Smelt, here commonly called the Spear- 

 ling, or Sparling, and much used as a bait, for which its bright 

 silvery colours particularly adapt it. 



The British variety is frequently taken with the hook ; and 

 on the Southern coasts, where the true Smelt is unknown, it is 

 commonly known and sold as that fish, to which it bears some 

 degree of similarity in flavour, as well as in the cucumber smell 

 common to both when freshlv taken from the water. 



