200 THE COMMERCIAL SEA FISHES OF 



tubercles on the body. No spine before the anal fin. 

 Lateral-line. With a strong curve anteriorly reaching to 

 some little distance beyond the extremity of the pectoral 

 fin, when it becomes straight. Colours. Of a sandy brown 

 on the left side, usually speckled with white or light dots 

 or spots ; fins slightly marbled. Under surface white, with 

 sometimes a few black or gray spots along the bases of the 

 vertical fins. 



Varieties. Apparent hybrids between the turbot and 

 brill have been alluded to. Yarrell figures the deformed 

 head of one of these fish. Double brill are not rare ; also 

 reversed and albino ones are occasionally observed. 

 Thompson mentions an example which was covered over 

 with large stellate, white markings on a very rich-coloured 

 dark " ground," looking precisely as if a shower of snow 

 had fallen on it. Couch remarked upon having seen an 

 example intensely black, with a few white specks on the 

 anal fin. 



Habits. Found in sandy bays, also in deep water, and 

 occasionally enters the estuaries formed by large rivers. 

 It feeds on Crustacea, small fish, and food similar to that 

 consumed by the turbot. 



Means of capture. Similar to what are adopted for the 

 turbot. In the Firth of Forth it is mostly taken by the 

 hook, but not so along the Cornish coast. 



Breeding. In spring. 



As food. Abundant in our markets, but not held in so 

 much esteem as the turbot, yet is superior to the plaice. 

 In Ireland it is most valued in spring. 



Habitat. Coasts of Europe, becoming rarer towards the 

 north. It is found round the British Isles, and through the 

 Mediterranean. It is rare in the Orkneys and Zetland ; off 

 Banff; it is taken at Aberdeen ; is found occasionally in 





