154 BRITISH FISH AND FISHERIES. 



penny the dozen, each fish weighing three 

 pounds on an average. This fish will live and 

 thrive in fresh water, but so abundant is it, 

 that its cultivation in such a way in our coun- 

 try is useless. It is in the best condition at 

 the end of May, and throughout the next 

 month. 



In all our bays and creeks, and in the 

 mouths of our rivers, and far inland up the 

 rivers, the flounder, fleuk, or flook, (Platessa 

 flesuSj) is very common. It is found in the 

 Thames as high as Teddington ; it abounds in 

 the Mole, and in the Avon, near Bath ; we 

 have seen shoals of it in the Severn, near Bewd- 

 ley. It will live in fresh water ponds, as well 

 as in the sea, and out of the water is so tena- 

 cious of life, that it may be sent from one part 

 of the country to another with little diffi- 

 culty. 



In the Thames, the fishermen take this fish 

 by means of a tuck-net, which is so managed 

 as to make a circular sweep, inclosing within 

 it whatever fish may be swimming in the 

 spot. The flounder is generally small, but 

 specimens of two or three pounds' weight are 

 occasionally to be met with. All are so well 

 acquainted with this fish, that we need not 

 describe it. 



