GREA T BRIT A IN. 1 89 



Means of capture. Baits employed on very strong hooks 

 and lines, as it sometimes offers a determined resistance, 

 and which may be very formidable in large examples. 

 This, however, according to Thompson, is not in accordance 

 with the experience of Irish fishermen, who assert that it is 

 a simple fish, easily killed, and they never lose one in con- 

 sequence of its weight. Off Ireland it is generally taken 

 on cod lines, the whelk, Buccinum undatum, being mostly 

 employed as a bait. In the Orkneys it is most commonly 

 captured in the slack water and eddies occasioned by the 

 various islands in the race of the tides. 



Baits. Generally those employed for the cod and turbot 

 In the Moray Forth a piece of plaice is mostly used. 



Breeding. April in Cornwall ; off Scotland in the spring. 

 The roe is of a pale red colour, and the ova very numerous. 



Diseases. Thompson states that upon all he has examined 

 were specimens of the parasite Hirudo hippoglossus, Miiller; 

 and Mclntosh remarks that Epibdella hippoglossi is often 

 seen on the caligus of this fish, in fact Udonella caligorum 

 is common. 



Uses. Said to be more famed for its size than for its 

 quality, and is sold throughout the year, except during 

 May and June. 



As food. It is little esteemed in England, and does not 

 obtain a ready sale among the general public, unless other 

 fish is scarce. Mr. Rowell, however, observes that at 

 Newcastle they are termed " turbot," and greatly esteemed, 

 and as a test observes cod is retailed at ^d. a pound, ling at 

 $d. or 6d., and halibut at lod. or is., these three prices 

 showing their respective local estimation. 



Jews are frequent purchasers of halibut, but they must 

 have an entire fish with its head and gills intact. Thomp- 

 son considered it very good for the table. Lowe asserted 



