CHAP. VII.] 



THE FLAT FISH FAMILY. 



29' 



and is known also on the shores of Greece and Italy. This 

 fish is taken chiefly by means of the trawl-net, but in some 

 places it is fished for by well-baited lines. We derive 

 large quantities of our turbot from Holland, so much as 

 100,000 having been paid to the Dutch in one year 

 for the quantity of these fish which were brought to 

 London, and on which, at one time, a duty of 6 per boat 



THE PLEURONECTIDJE FAMILY. 

 1. Flounder. 2. Turbot. 3. Plaice. 4. Sole. 5. Dab. 



was exigible. This fish spawns during the autumn, and is 

 in fine condition for table use during the spring and early 

 summer. Yarrell says the turbot spawns in the spring ; but, 

 with due respect, I think he is wrong ; I would not, however, 

 be positive about this, for there will no doubt be individuals 

 of the turbot kind, as there are of all other kinds, that will 

 spawn all the year round. The turbot is a great flat fish. In 

 Scotland, from its shape, it is called " the bannock-fluke." It 

 is about twenty inches long, and broad in proportion ; and a 

 prime fish of this species will weigh from four to eight pounds. 



