346 NATURAL HISTORY. 



human head, which children draw, and in which both eyes are represented 

 on the same side of the face. With this turning of the body comes a dif- 

 ference in the colors of the two sides. That which is constantly directed 

 downward remains white, while the other assumes a dark hue. 



Largest of the flat-fishes is the halibut, whose white steaks are familiar 

 to all. The female affords the best meat, and her average weight is about 

 a hundred or a hundred and twenty-five pounds. The largest known was 

 caught in Sweden and weighed seven hundred and twenty pounds ; and 

 the next largest of which a record is accessible is a doubtful instance of 

 one of six hundred pounds, and the next weighed four hundred and one 

 pounds. The large fish are coarse-fleshed and much inferior to the smaller 

 specimens. 



Our plate shows three European species of flat-fish, all of which have 

 considerable celebrity. The largest is the turbot, which has a very high 

 reputation as a food fish, and always commands a high price. The next 

 in size (the dark fish to the right) is the plaice, quite a different fish from 

 the American form called by the same name. In the left foreground is 

 the sole, which takes a rank next to the turbot. 



Speaking of the American plaice, Mr. Goode, after referring to its use 

 in various places to the south, says, " In Boston, and indeed throughout 

 the greater part of New England, this, with all other flounders, is con- 

 sidered unfit to eat." This is a strange statement, for in New England 

 the flounders are highly esteemed, and in every sea-shore town they are 

 eaten in great quantities. 



All of the flat-fishes are bottom-feeders. They either swim leisurely 

 along, just above the sand or mud, or lie buried beneath the surface, with 

 only the jaws and eyes exposed. They are voracious and will bite at 

 almost anything. 



The little sticklebacks, with a varying number of spines upon their 

 backs, are familiar to every loiterer beside our streams and along the • 

 wharves of our harbors. Exceeding busy fishes are they, of little economic 

 importance (except as they eat the fry of other fishes), but very interesting 

 on account of their habits. When the spawning season comes round comes 

 the nest-building, which is performed by the male alone. The operation 

 has been so charmingly described by Mr. John Keast Lord in his < Natur- 

 alist in Vancouver Island and British Columbia ' that we cannot refrain 

 from quoting his account nearly in full. 



The site is generally among the stems of aquatic plants, where the 

 water always flows, but not too swiftly. He first begins by carrying small 

 bits of green material, which he nips off the stalks, and tugs from the bot- 



