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VKJITEBIIATA. 



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THE PLAICE. 



It woiirhs from one to three pounds, u.mI is esteemed tolerable food. In England it is called Butt 

 ~ and Flook. 



The Common Dab of Europe, P. 

 limanda, is eight to twelve inches long ; 

 feeds on Crustacea, small fish, and ma- 

 rine insects; is often caught with 

 plaice and flounder, but is preferred 

 to either for the table. Found on the 

 European coasts; abundant in the 

 London markets. There are some 

 other species, as the Smooth or Lemon 

 Dab, p. microcephalus^ called Saiid- 

 Flexik in Scotland; and the Long 

 Rough Dab, P. linianduidcs, called 

 Sand-necker in Scotland : both found 

 on the European coasts and somewhat 

 rarely in British waters. 



The Pole or Craig Fluke, P. 

 pola, is fifteen to twenty inches long ; 

 color yellowish-brown ; found on the 

 Eui-opean coasts ; rare in England. 



There are several species of Platessa 

 known on our coasts. The New 

 York Flat-Fish, P. plana, is six to 

 eighteen inches long; color variable, 

 but usually pale greenish; highly 

 prized for the table ; common in the 

 New York market, where it is some- 

 times called Winter-Flounder. 



The Pigmy Flat-Fish, P. jyiisilla, 

 is five inches long ; is taken on our 

 coasts, but is little valued for food. 

 The Rusty Flat-Fish, P. ferrur/hiea, 

 is twelve to twenty inches long ; rare ; 

 found in deep water. The New York 

 Flounder, P. dentafa, also called 

 Toothed Flat-Fish, is about twenty 

 inches long; is well flavored, and 

 common in our markets under the 

 name of the Summer-Flounder. The 

 Spotted or Oblong Flounder, P. 

 ohlonya, is fifteen to twenty inches 

 long ; is common along our sandy 

 shores, and is procured abundantly 

 in September and October. It is ex- 

 cellent food, and like its congeners, 

 is tenacious of life, and can be pre- 

 served in good condition for a long 

 time. The Long-toothed Floun- 

 der, P. ocellaris, is twelve to twenty 

 jjj^. ,.,„t„ inches long; its flesh is savory ; found 



on our coasts in the summer months. 

 (renus HIPPOGLOSSUS : Hippoglossus, includes the Halibut, H. vulgaris. This is a large 



lllii. h'LOHiiii^B^ 



THE COMMU.N DAB, 



