266 THE HALIBUT. 



The Spotted Turbot {BotMts maculatus) is a small species, not very familiar ; called in 

 New Jersey Window Pane, and in New York Sand Flounder. Its range is from Cape Cod to 

 Hatteras. Mitchell described it as the New York Plaice {Pleuronectus maculatus), and it 

 is also called Watery Flounder. It has been sold in New England as English Turbot, and 

 is nearly, if not quite equally good a food-fish, a.s the latter. Its common name, Sand 

 Flounder, associated with that of the misei'able Flounders of our harbors, does not help its 

 reputation as an edible. A species called Smooth Plaice is common along the coast from 

 Maine southward. Several other species of Flounders are known. 



Another flat fish, the Brill (Plexironedes rJionibus), called in Scotland the Bonnet 

 Fleuk, and in other places known by the names of Kite and Brett, is held in much estima- 

 tion for the sake of its flesh, which is but little inferior to that of the turbot, and is, indeed, 

 sometimes fraudulently substituted for that fish. The Brill resembles the turbot in food and 

 habits as well as in appearance, but does not attain the same dimensions, seldom exceeding 

 seven or eight pounds in weight. The skin of the dark side is devoid of the bony tubercles 

 which are found in the turbot. Its color is reddish -brown, mottled with a darker tint of the 

 same color, and variegated ^^^th numerous round white spots of a pearly lusti'e. On account 

 of these spots the Brill is sometimes called the Pearl. When young, the pale reddish-brown 

 is covered with spots of black or very dark brown. 



Passing by the two species of Topknots, we come to the Plaice, so well known by the 

 bright red spots which are scattered over its dark side. 



This is one of the commonest of the flat fishes, and, hapjiily for the poor, is taken in such 

 quantities that it supplies nutritious aliment at a very low rate of purchase. It is taken 

 chiefly with the trawl-net, but can be captured with the line, as it bites freely at a bait, 

 generally the common lugworm, and is one of the fish that is most usually caught by amateur 

 sea-fishers. Even the shrimpers take large quantities of small Plaice in their nets ; and along 

 the coast this fish is so numerous, that at low water it may be seen in great numbers darting 

 over the sandy flats, the white surface glittering in the light as the little creatures dash vdldly 

 along in their terror of the approaching enemy. 



The Flounder, Matock Fleuk, or Butt, is quite as common as the plaice, and is found 

 in salt, brackish, or fresh water, sometimes living in the sea, sometimes inhabiting the mouths 

 of rivers, and sometimes jiassing up the stream for many miles. As this fish is capable of 

 living in fresh water, it has often been transferred to ponds, and will there fatten i-apidly. 



The color of the Flounder is usually brown, taking a darker or lighter shade, according 

 to the nature of the ground on which the fish rests, those that inhabit the muddy shores being 

 nearly black, and those which prefer the sand taking a yellower hue. Generally, the eyes 

 and the color are on the right side, but reversed specimens are very common, and in some 

 instances the fish has been entirely white or wholly brown. The average weight of the Flounder 

 is three or four pounds. 



One or two other examples of the flat fishes deserve a passing notice. 



The Common Dab {Platessa liinarida) is plentiful upon sandy coasts, and may at once be 

 recognized by the roughness of its surface, or structure, which has gained for it the specific 

 title of Limanda, or file-back — the Latin word lima signifying a file. Its flesh is very good, 

 and is thought to be in best condition from the end of January to April. Its color is pale 

 brown, and its length seldom exceeds eight inches. 



A VERT large species of flat fish is called the Halibut {Rippoglossus milgdris). The flesh 

 is tolerably good, but is rather dry and without much flavor. It is rather longer in proportion 

 to its width than is generally the case among flat fishes. Its color is brovra of different shades, 

 and the surface smooth, the small, oval-shaped scales which cover it being soft and without 

 projections. This fish attains a large size, specimens of five feet in length not being uncommon. 



