GREA T BRIT A IN. 195 



sometimes in the course of the year two or three of them, 

 and then for years won't see any." It has been observed 

 that these fish from our northern coasts and brought by 

 the Dutch, are darker than those from the south-west coast 

 of England. 



Habits. Frequents sandy bays and likewise muddy 

 localities ; it appears to constantly change its residence, 

 migrating into deep water during cold weather similarly to 

 the soles. It is very retentive of life when captured. Its 

 principal food is small fish, crustaceans and molluscs. In 

 an example captured in Torbay, which Mr. Gosden, of 

 Exeter, examined when quite fresh, he found Montagu's 

 crab (Xantho floridd), the angled crab (jGonoplax angulata], 

 velvet fidler crab (Portunus puber\ the long-haired porcelain 

 crab (Porcelanus longicornus), the olive squat lobster (Gala- 

 thea squamiferd], the spider crab (Stenorynchus phalangiuni), 

 brittle starfish (Ophiostrix fragilis), and the Eurynome 

 aspera. Pontoppidan remarks that it feeds on young crabs 

 and small fishes, sea eggs or sea urchins, of which it is very 

 fond. 



The turbot was formerly preserved by the Romans in 

 salt-water ponds, so as to be readily available for the market. 

 The largest appear to have been preferred, and it has been 

 asserted that the Emperor Domitian convened the senate 

 respecting how a mighty fish of this kind should be cooked. 

 Respecting the food of the turbot and flat fishes generally, 

 it is often difficult to institute investigations, as they are 

 generally at once disembowelled by fishermen when cap- 

 tured, because after death decomposition rapidly attacks 

 their intestines, and injures the fish in a very few hours. 

 By Act i., c. 28, of George I., a turbot under 16 inches 



ig, brill under 14, codling 12, whiting 6, bass and 



o 2 



