256 



FISHES. 



FIG. 271. THE COD. 



lower jaw. The fishery for cod is the most valuable in the world 

 the pursuit, the curing, and the transport affording employ- 

 ment to thousands of hardy industrious people, and whole fleets 

 of ships. The value of the fish taken by British subjects, on the 

 coast of Newfoundland alone, is not less than 5 00,000 annually. 

 They are caught with hook and line. 



The Pleuronectidse,* or Flat Fishes, have the body com- 

 pressed laterally, and very much elevated vertically; but what 

 especially distinguishes them is a want of symmetry in the con- 

 struction of the head, a character which is not observed in any 

 other vertebrate animal. Both eyes are placed on the side that is 

 uppermost, which is deeply coloured, while the other side is white. 

 The two corners of the mouth are unequal, and it is rare to find 

 both pectoral fins exactly alike ; the dorsal fin extends along the 

 whole back, the anal fin occupies the lower part of the body, and 

 the ventrals seem to be continuations of it in front, as they are 

 almost united one to another. The principal genera of this family 

 are the noble Turbot and Brill (Rliombus), the valuable Sole (Soled), 

 the gigantic Holibut (Hippoglossus), the Plaice, the Flounder, and 

 the various species of Dabs and Flukes (Platessa\ all of which, in 

 a greater or less degree, are in estimation as human food. Their 

 form is very deep, but at the same time very thin, and they are 



r~\evp6v, pleuron, the side; 



, nektes, a swimmer: so called from their swimming 

 on one side. 



