122 FISH. 



worm which forms a nidus in its skin, and pro- 

 duces rounded swellings. 



THE PLAICE. 



Platessa vulgaris, Cuvier. 

 Pleuronecies platessa, Linnsens. 



The flat-fish generally are most deservedly 

 much sought for as articles of food ; there are six- 

 teen species known around our coasts, and they 

 decrease the further to the north you go, until in 

 Greenland the number of species are reduced to 

 three. Plaice are generally found on sand-banks 

 and mud-flats in the sea ; on the coast of England 

 they are taken in great abundance wherever the 

 trawl-net, the tuck-net, or the spiller can be used. 

 The plaice is in the best condition for food at the 

 end of May, and spawns in February and March. 

 They fee:! on worms, Crustacea, and small fish ; 

 they are said to have been caught fifteen pounds 

 in weight, but they are usually of three or four 

 pounds. On some occasions they have been 



