THE FLOUNDER OR FLUKE. 119 



more salt at first, be dried still more, and opportunity must 

 be taken afterwards to spread them in the sun occasionally. 

 Toasted or broiled on a gridiron, they will be found an excellent 

 tea and breakfast fish ; to extract a portion of the salt, after 

 toasting pour boiling water on them in a basin and let them 

 soak three minutes, then take out, drain, and immediately 

 spread over them a bit of butter whilst still hot. The Dab is a 

 very slimy fish and must be well scraped in cleaning ; it should 

 not, however, be allowed to soak in the water, but be dipped 

 sufficiently to rinse off the impurities only. 



THE FLOUNDER OR FLUKE. 

 (Plaiessa flesus.) 



The Flounder or Fluke frequents large tidal rivers, and, 

 although evidently a sea-fish, will wander far into perfectly 

 fresh water, and there live and thrive. 



It is very similar in shape to the Dab, but much inferior in 

 quality, yet in the winter until the beginning of spring it is 

 tolerably firm, and being at this season full of spawn will be 

 found very palatable, if broiled over a clear fire or nicely fried. 

 (Note. In cooking flat-fish by either broiling or frying, remove 

 the roes and dress them alone, as they are rarely sufficiently 

 done if left in the fish.) 



Use the same tackle as for the Dab ; for bait I have never 

 found anything equal to the Soft Crab, which is sufficiently 

 tough, and not so quickly taken off the hook by the Crabs, 

 which abound so much in all our estuaries. This Crab, warned 

 by an allwise Providence of its approaching defenceless state 

 from the casting of its shell, seeks shelter and concealment 

 under stones or in holes, until a new one is formed over its 

 naked body, as during this period it is equally an object of 

 pursuit to all the finny race as to its brethren who have not 

 parted with their coats of armour. The condition in which 

 they are suitable for bait is just previous to their casting the 

 old shell. Lugs are good bait, but the Crabs rob the hooks 

 too quickly. 



Use four or six lines, and act in the same way in casting 



