NATURAL HISTORY. 441 



the bottom of the water while undisturbed, or merely feeding. 

 "When, however, they are alarmed, they rapidly assume the 

 vertical position, and dart off with great speed. The dark 

 upper surface serves to protect them from becoming too visi- 

 ble to enemies above. The two eyes are also placed on the 

 upper side of the head for obvious reasons. In fact, the whole 

 fish appears as if it had been laid on its side, and rolled flat, 

 the head also being twisted round, and the lower eye removed 

 to the upper surface. 



Family VII. Pleuronectidffi. (Gr. TW.evpov, a rib or side; VTJKTOV, 

 power of swimming.) 



PSETTJR (Gr. -%7/TTa, a Turbot.) 



Maxima (Lat. greatest], the Turbot. 



The TURBOT is found on the coasts of most parts of England, 

 but is mostly confined to the southern coasts of Ireland. 



The fishery is conducted both by nets and lines. The net, 

 called the haul-net, drags from the bottom not only turbots but 

 other flat fish, such as soles and plaice. The line, used when 

 the bottom of the sea is too deep or rocky for the net, is armed 

 with many hooks, baited with smelts and other small fish. 

 The lampern, or river lamprey, was formerly in very great 



