The Flounder The Sole. 



461 



THE FLOUNDEE. (Platessa flesus.) 



THE principal distinction between the plaice and the 

 Flounder consists in the former having a row of six 

 tubercles behind the left eye, of which this fish is en- 

 tirely destitute ; it is also a little longer in the body, 

 and, when full-grown, somewhat thicker. The back 

 is of a dark olive colour, spotted. In taste, they are 

 reckoned more delicate than the plaice. They live long 

 after being taken out of their element, and are often 

 cried in the streets of London, but they seldom appear 

 on the tables of the rich and dainty. They are common 

 in the British rivers, and in all large rivers which obey 

 the impression of the tide, and they feed upon worms 

 bred in the mud at the bottom of the water. 



THE SOLE, (Solea vulgaris,) 



Is well known as a very excellent fish, whose flesh is 

 firm, delicate, and of a pleasing flavour. Soles grow to 

 the length of eighteen inches, and even more, in some of 

 our seas. They are often found of this size and supe- 

 riority in Torbay, whence they are sent to market at 

 Exeter and several other towns in Devonshire and the 



