GREAT BRITAIN. 185 



due to a cross having occurred between a normal and a 

 reversed example of the same species, giving rise to a sort 

 of piebald colour. 



Among these fishes it appears as if the female sex largely 

 preponderated over that of the male. It also seems pro- 

 bable that their eggs float when deposited in the sea. In 

 the earlier stages of their existence, during the spring 

 months, flat fishes pass their lives close to the coast ; they 

 swim on the surface, and appear more active if the wind 

 is setting in shore, perhaps taking advantage of it to return 

 towards home. 



Many legends doubtless are in existence throughout the 

 universe regarding how these fishes became coloured on 

 one side only. Klunzinger tells us that in Upper Egypt a 

 tradition is prevalent that Moses was once cooking a fish, 

 but by the time it had been broiled until it was brown on 

 one side, the fire or the oil gave out. Moses, in a temper 

 the reverse of amiable, threw the fish into the sea, where, 

 although half broiled, it came to life again, and its de- 

 scendants have up to the present day preserved the same 

 peculiar appearance, being white or colourless on one side, 

 and coloured on the other. In Constantinople a similar 

 story is told of these fishes, but Moses retires in favour of 

 the Sultan, Mohammed II., the conqueror of Stamboul. 

 In the Isle of Man, Patterson states that there is a legend 

 accounting for how the mouths of flat fishes became twisted. 

 The finny tribes bethought themselves that it was time to 

 select a king to decide disputes, and for which purpose they 

 all assembled, putting on their best appearance. The 

 plaice, however, remained so long at home adorning him- 

 self with red spots, in order to be selected their chief, that 

 he did not arrive until all was over, and the shad had been 

 elected "king of the sea." On hearing the result, the 





