50 FLAT-FISH ; TURBOT, ETC. 



they then dart along with great rapidity ; but they soon return 

 to their usual posture, and glide along with a sort of undulating 

 motion, at a little distance from the bottom. The Flat-fishes 

 are very tenacious of life ; and the flesh of all of them is very 

 palatable. That of the Turbot is considered as the most delicate 

 afforded by any marine fish. Although most of the species 

 are exclusively marine, yet the Flounder and some others 

 occasionally ascend rivers, and thrive in brackish, or even in 



quite fresh water. The Plaice, 

 Flounder, Turbot, Dab, Fluke, 

 Brill, Sole, and other well 

 known fish of this family, are 

 closely allied to each other, 

 both in structure and habits ; 

 and they are all inhabitants 



of British seas. The Halibut, 



% ' 



FJG. 277. PLAICE. also an inhabitant of the 



Northern seas, is larger than 



any one of these, attaining a length of six or seven feet, and a 

 weight of 300 or 400 Ibs. Its flesh is rather coarse and dry, but 

 it admits of being salted. In some of the Mediterranean species, 

 the eyes look towards the left side, instead of towards the right ; 

 the latter, though the ordinary rule of the family, is sometimes 

 departed from in other species ; the individuals that exhibit the 

 unusual formation, being said to be " reversed." As an in- 

 stance of the extent and importance of the Fisheries, of which 

 this family is the object, it may be mentioned that the Dutch 

 draw about 80,000/. per annum, for the supply of Turbot alone 

 to the London market ; and it is estimated that, of the whole 

 quantity brought to Billingsgate, the Dutch is not more than 

 one-fourth. 



575. The third and last family of the second division of Soft- 

 rayed fishes, is but a small one ; and consists of a group which 

 is characterised by the union of the ventral fins into a sort of 

 sucker, or disc, that enables them to form a strong adhesion to 

 rocks and other hard substances. In this manner they can 

 remain and find their food, in situations where every other 



