94 NORTH SEA FISHERS AND FIGHTERS 



exceeds the demand, and there is not in connection with 

 this fish that wholesale waste which has to be recorded 

 when there is a glut of the inferior descriptions. Often 

 enough the wholesale cost of sole at Billingsgate is 2s. 

 or 2s. 6d. a pound, although it will be occasionally as 

 low as 6d., the price being entirely dependent on the 

 supply. Turbot, which comes next to sole in order of 

 merit, will command as much as is. a pound wholesale 

 in a good market. Brill, which so closely resembles 

 turbot in many ways, realises almost the same prices as 

 that lordly fish, and about the same as those which are 

 paid for lemon sole and the most superior sorts of plaice. 

 The offal comprises many sorts of fish, most of which 

 are familiar to housekeepers by name, while others are 

 designated in a manner that would puzzle any one but 

 an expert. Haddocks and halibut are known to all, 

 especially the former ; gurnets are not unfamiliar, and 

 whiting, of course, is known to every caterer, and appears 

 on many bills of fare ; but few ordinary buyers would 

 venture on witches, megrims, latchets, skate, or roker. 

 All these classes have a constant place in the Billings- 

 gate list, while other fishes are dealt with which are 

 not considered worth offering as regular "lines." Yet 

 nothing is more surprising than the change which will 

 sometimes take- place, and has taken place, in the 

 estimating of fish as an article of food. For example, 

 skate, ray, and kindred fish are despised at many ports, 

 even by the poorest classes, while, on the other side of 

 the North Sea, skate almost ranks as prime. Haddock 

 also is frequently looked at dubiously, largely because it 

 is so cheap and plentiful, but, properly cooked and served, 

 a choice haddock is a welcome dish at any table. 



