THE TURBOT. 219 



Manner of fishing off the Yorkshire coast. 



equal, and obtuse tubercles, while those of the 

 other are quite smooth, and covered with oblong 

 soft scales, that firmly adhere to the body. The 

 greatest weight of the turbot is about thirty 

 pounds. 



In the northern parts of the English coast, 

 and some places off the coast of Holland, turbots 

 are found in greater abundance and excellence 

 than in any other parts of the world. Lying 

 here, however, in deep waters, they are seldom 

 to be caught but by lines. 



The manner of fishing for turbot off the York- 

 shire coast is as follows ; three men go out in 

 each of the boats, each man provided with three 

 lines ; every one of which is furnished with two 

 hundred and eighty hooks, placed exactly six 

 feet two inches asunder. These are coiled on 

 an oblong piece of wicker- work, with the hooks 

 baited, and placed very regularly in the centre 

 of the coil. When they are used, the nine are 

 generally fastened together so as to form one 

 line with above two thousand hooks, and extend- 

 ing near three miles in length. This is always 

 laid across the current. An anchor and buoy are 

 fixed at the end of each man's line. The tides 

 run .here so rapidly, that the fishermen can nly 

 shoot and haul their lines in the still water at the 

 turn of the tide ; and therefore, as it is flood and 

 ebb about every alternate six hours, this is the 

 longest time the lines can remain on the ground. 

 When the lines are laid, two of the men usually 

 2 B? 



