CLASS V. PISCES: ORDER 3. TELEOSTEA. 



459 



muller's topknot. 



The Megrim or Smooth Sole, H. Arno</lossus, seldom exceeds four or five inches in length. 



It is sometimes called Scald-Finh. 

 Found as the preceding. 



Genus SOLEA : Solea, includes the 

 Common Sole of Europe, S. vuhjaris, 

 ten to twenty-six inches long, and 

 weighing from one to ten pounds ; it 

 inhabits sandy shores in deep water, 

 being taken by the trawl-net, and 

 not by the hook. It feeds on testace- 

 ous animals, and the spawn and fry 

 of other fishes. It is one of the very 

 best of European fishes, and is taken 

 in great quantities along the coast, es- 

 pecially in the British islands. Eighty- 

 six thousand bushels of soles were re- 

 ceived at Billingsgate market, London, 

 in a single year. The fishing-season 

 is from May to November. The prin- 

 cipal trawling-ground in England is on 

 the south coast from Sussex to Devon- 

 shire. This fish thrives well in fresh 

 water. Found in the European seas; 

 common in the markets of London 

 and I^aris. 



The French or Lemon-Sole, S. 

 pegusa, and the Variegated Sole, 

 Monochirus linguatulus, are other Eu- 

 ropean, though rare species. 



Genus ACIIIRUS: Achirus, in- 

 ^^ eludes the New York Sole, A. mollis, 

 three to six inches long; common on 

 the coast from Nantucket to Carolina. 

 They are taken on our coasts in Sep- 

 tember and October, and are delicate 

 food, but are too small to be of any 

 great importance. The Jersey fisher- 

 men call them Calico and Coverclip. 

 They often ascend the Hudson to a 

 distance of forty miles. 



Genus PLATESSA : Platessa, in- 

 cludes the Plaice, P. vulgaris, weigh- 

 ing six to twelve pounds ; it feeds on 

 luollusca, Crustacea, and young fish ; in- 

 habits sandy banks and muddy grounds 

 in the sea; is sometimes taken with 



THE WHIFP. 





THE SMOOTH SOLE. 



.X- 



.:,:jAVAiA\\ 



'■\N\ 



, \ \ \ 



s 



I/'I'J'J. 



THE COMMON SOLE OP EUEOPE. 



hooks and sometimes with 



speart 



though more generally with trawl- 

 nets. It is highly esteemed as food. It is common on the European coasts, and is sometimes 

 very abundant. Enormous quantities are taken and consumed in Great Britain. 



The Common Flounder of Europe, P.Jlesus, is found at the mouths of nearly all the Euro- 

 pean rivers, and is especially abundant where the bottom is soft and muddy. It lives and 

 thrives in salt, fresh, and brackish water; feeds on aquatic insects, worms, and small fishes. 



