424 THE TUBBOT, AND HOLIBUT. 



doil. When they are used, the nine lines are generally fastened 



together, so as to form one line, with 

 above two thousand hooks, and ex- 

 tending nearly three miles in length. 

 This is always laid across the current ; 

 and an anchor and buoy are fixed at 

 the end of each man's line. The tides 

 run here so rapidly, that the fishermen 

 can only shoot and haul their lines 

 during the still water at the turn of 

 the tide ; and therefore, as it is flood 

 and ebb about every alternate six hours, this is the longest time the linea 

 remain on the ground. When the lines are laid, two of the men can 

 usually wrap themselves in the sail and sleep, whilst the third is on 

 watch, to prevent their being run down by ships, and to observe the 

 weather. 



The bait that the Turbots take most readily is a fresh Hen ing, cut 

 into proper-sized pieces : they are also partial to the smaller Lampreys, 

 pieces of Haddock, Sand- worms, Muscles, and Limpets; and when 

 none of these are to be had, the fishermen use Bullock's liver. The 

 hooks are two inches and a half long in the shank, and nearly an 

 inch wide between the shank and the point. These are fastened to the 

 lines upon sneads of twisted Horse-hair, twenty-seven inches in length. 

 The line is made of small cording, and is always tanned before it is used. 

 The voracity of Turbot, when in pursuit of prey, is often such, that 

 it carries them into the mouths of rivers, or the entrance of ponds in 

 salt-marshes, which communicate with the sea. But they are not 

 contented with merely employing agility and strength in procuring 

 their food, they likewise have recourse to stratagem. They plunge 

 themselves into the mud or sand at the bottom of the sea, and cover 

 their whole body, except their eyes and mouth. Thus concealed, they 

 seize upon and devour all the smaller kinds of fish which incautiously 

 approach them. It is said that they are very particular in the choice 

 of their food, invariably refusing all except living animals, or such as 

 are not in the least degree putrid. And the fishermen assert, that 

 they are never to be caught with baits which have been bitten by 

 other fish. 



In many parts of England, Turbot and Holibut are sold indiscrimi- 

 nately for each other. They are, however, perfectly distinct; the 

 upper parts of the former being marked with large, unequal, and 

 obtuse tubercles; while those of the latter are quite smooth, and 

 covered with oblong soft scales, that adhere firmly to the body. The 

 eyes of the Turbot also are on the left, whilst those of the Holibut are 

 on the right of the head. 



Holibuts are sometimes caught of such immense size, on the north- 

 ern coasts of England, as to weigh from two to three hundred pounds. 

 Olafsen speaks of having seen one in Iceland, which measured five 

 ells in length. 



The Greenlanders employ the membrane of the stomach of the 

 Holibut, in place of glass for their windows. 



