THE TURBOT-FISHERY. 89 



Do they not know that its eyes are generally on the left 

 side ? a peculiarity which, however, does not seem to in- 

 convenience it. It is not an elegant fish, judged by the 

 usual laws of harmonious proportions ; but then its flesh is 

 so delicious, that the epicure readily pardons its deficiency 

 in this respect ! It attains a considerable size, in fact, 

 an aldermanic size, very appropriate in a fish so much 

 esteemed at aldermanic banquets ; frequently it weighs 

 seventy, eighty, or ninety pounds. On our English and 

 Scottish coasts it is very plentiful our markets being 

 largely supplied from the sand-banks lying between our 

 eastern shores and Holland. It is also known in the 

 seas of Greece and Italy. 



The Dutch turbot- fishery begins about the end of 

 March, a few leagues to the south of Scheveling. As the 

 season advances the fish proceed northwards, and in April 

 and May are found in great shoals on the banks called 

 the Broad Forties. Early in June they swarm around 

 the crumbling shores of Heligoland, where the fishery 

 continues to the middle of August, and then terminates 

 for the year. At the beginning of the season the trawl- 

 net is principally used ; but on the occurrence of warm 

 weather the fish retire to deeper water, and the fisher- 

 men must then have recourse to the line. 



The turbot was well known to, and highly valued by, 

 the ancients, who thought their banquets incomplete un- 

 less it " smoked upon the board." Horace alludes to its 

 size and costliness : 



" Grandes rhombi patinaeque 

 Grande ferunt una cum damno dedecus." 



" Great turbots and late suppers lead 

 To debt, disgrace, and abject need." 



