WHERE SOLES ARE POUND. 91 



which almost always projects beyond the mouth ; the 

 said mouth being twisted to the side opposite to that on 

 which the eyes are situated namely, the right ; though, 

 by the way, individuals are occasionally found with both 

 eyes and mouth on the left. The teeth are very small in 

 both jaws ; there are pectoral fins on each side ; the dorsal 

 and anal fins extend to the tail, but do not join the tail- 

 fins. 



The common sole inhabits all the European seas, except 

 the most northern. Its average weight is one and a half 

 to two pounds, but some individuals bulk to five, seven, 

 and even nine pounds. The upper side of the body is of 

 an almost uniform dark brown ; the under part, white. 



It is a ground fish, and therefore caught by trawling. 

 It frequents the sandy bottoms round the coast, feeding 

 011 the smaller Crustacea, and on the spawn and young 

 of various kinds of fish. 



Soles have a very extensive range. You may take 

 them at the Cape of Good Hope ; in the seas of Japan ; 

 off the coast of North America ; and in the Mediterranean. 

 And though sea-fish by birth, they will live and wax fat 

 in fresh water, frequently ascending rivers to a consider- 

 able height. 



They were well known and equally well appreciated in 

 days of old. According to the Greeks, they made suitable 

 sandals for the ocean nymphs, who, when thus shod, had 

 certainly soles to their feet. One of the epigrammatists, 

 describing a banquet, says the slaves 



Served up those slippers of the foamy sea 

 Which agile Nereids, sent on errands fleet, 

 Apply protecting to their tender feet. 



Eai/SaAa 6' av Trape^xev aeiyej/?) aQo.va.rawv' 

 JPouyAwcro-oi', 05 eyatev ei> aA/ij) /uop/uupouafl." 



