FISHES. 53!) 



covering the gills with ten rays; an oval breast-plate, streaked 

 in form of a ladder, toothed.* 



38. The Lipidopus or Gartar-fish. The body sword-like, 

 the head lengthened out ; the fins covering the gills with seven 

 rays ; three scales only on the whole body ; two in the place of 

 the ventral fins ; and the third from that of the anus. 



prominent, appeared to be filled with rows of some hard substance, which, 

 on being opened, were found to be shell-fish. These, from the bulging ot 

 the shells and the intervening interstices, gave the intestines somewhat the 

 appearance of strings of beads. On further examination, some of them 

 were found nearly dissolved, others partly so, but many of them whole. The 

 most usual food of soles is, the spawn and young of other fish. These fish 

 are found on all of the British coasts j but those of the western shores are 

 much superior in size to what are taken in the north, since they are some- 

 times found of the weight of six or seven pounds. The principal fishery for 

 soles is in Torbay. 



The Bearded Flounder. — The eyes of this fish are both on the same side 

 of the head. The body is compressed, one side representing the back, and 

 the other the abdomen. The whole body is scattered with gray spots ; and 

 it is bearded all round the fore part of the head. This fish is a native of the 

 Indian and Red seas, measuring seven or eight inches in length. It seems 

 to have been first considered a distinct species by Gronovius, but does nol 

 occur in the .Systema Natura; of Linnjeus. 



The Plaice. — Plaice are very flat, and much more square than the gene, 

 rality of flat-fish. Behind the left eye there is a row of six tubercles, that 

 reaches to the commencement of the lateral line. The upper part of the 

 body and fins are of a clear brown, marked with large bright oranged-colour. 

 ed spots ; the belly is white. These fish are very common on most of our 

 coasts, and sometimes taken of the weight of fifteen pounds ; but they seldom 

 reach that size, one of eight or nine pounds being reckoned a large fish. 

 The best and largest .ire taken ofl'Rye, on the coast of Sussex, and in Ire- 

 land ; also off the Dutch coasts. They are watery eating; but are, not- 

 withstanding, admired by some. They spawn in the begiimingof February. 



The Dab is found with the preceding species, but is less common. It 

 is generally of a uniform brown colour on the upper side, though some, 

 times clouded with a darker. The scales are small and rough, which is a 

 character of this species. The lateral line is extremely incurvated in the 

 beginning, then goes quite straight to the tail. The lower part of the body 

 is white. This tish is in best season during Tebruary, March, and April ; 

 they spawn in May and June, and become flabby and watery the rest of tli« 

 summer. They are superior in quality to the plaice and flounder, but rather 

 inferior in size. 



• The Sucking fish was believed by the anrlent.s to have the power of nr. 

 resting the progress of a vessel by adhering to its bottom. They are found 

 adhering to the sides of sharks and other fish, and have been employed by 

 the Indians in catching fish somewhat in the same niumur a^ hawks are in 

 seizing birds. 



