178 Guide to Belfast. 



Rhombus maximus. — The Turbot is very rare in 

 Belfast Lough, but commoner further north, especially 

 Portrush district, and also off Co. Down coast. 



R. laevis.— Much the same may be said about the Brill, 

 which seems more numerous than Turbot, except at 

 Portrush, where Ogilby states the two species to be about 

 equal. Local name, " Britt." 



Zeugopterus unimaculatus. — The very rare Bloch's 

 Topknot is recorded by Thompson as having been taken 

 by dredging in Belfast Lough in June 1838 and August 

 1844. 



Z. punctatus.— Miiller's Topknot is also very rare. 

 Thompson got one at Ardglass, Co. Down, in 1835 ; Ogilby 

 obtained one at Portrush in April 1876 and another in August 

 1877 ; and R. Lloyd Patterson received one from Bangor, 

 Co. Down, in July 1902. {Irish A^at., vol. xi, p. 186.) 



Arnoglossus megastoma. — The Whiff is occasionally 

 taken off both counties, but is not at all common. Local 

 name, "She-sole." 



Pleuronectes platessa. — The Plaice is one of the 

 most abundant of our flat-fishes. Examples of 10 and 12 lbs. 

 have been obtained here. 



P. microcephalus. — The Lemon Dab is not un- 

 common, but is not taken in large numbers. 



P. cynoglossus. — The Pole (local name, "White Sole") 

 is not commonly taken, and only one or two at a time ; but 

 in 1839 about 190 were taken in one haul off Newcastle, 

 Co. Down : this was quite exceptional (Thompson). 



P. limanda. — The Dab is very commonly taken, usually 

 of small size. 



P. flesus. — -The Flounder, or Fluke, is also very common. 



Solea vulgaris. — Almost unknown now in Belfast 

 Lough. Soles are common elsewhere ; very large specimens 

 are sometimes taken at Portrush (Ogilby). 



S. lascaris. — The Lemon Sole is rare here ; one was 

 caught off Bangor, Co. Down, in May 1897 (R. Lloyd 

 Patterson). 



S. variegata. — The first occurrence of the Variegated 

 Sole in Ireland was recorded by Thompson, being a single 

 specimen taken by Dr. J. L. Drummond at the entrance 



