THE POLE. 199 



two very small specimens of hake [Merlucius vulgaris) about a foot in 

 length : all were captured at the same haul. The four last-named speci- 

 mens I bought, together with seven of the Poles. Of these, four were 

 between 14 and \o inches long, two between 15 and 16, and one 16^ 

 inches in length. All but one were females. In the largest the ova were of 

 the greatest size, or 1-1 6th of an inch each in diameter : in the others they 

 were very well developed. Of their stomachs, 1 was empty, o contained 

 only the remains each of one ascidia-like animal, 1 fragments of a shell 

 {Solen pellucidus) and a Planaria-like Avorm, and 2 contained each the 

 remains of one crustacean. The under side of the head in all was marked 

 with numerous dimples cf the size that a pea would make. 



The form of the body and height of the D. and A. fins varied consider- 

 ably, as in those before examined, though in that case they were generally 

 males, as in this they are females. The fins are not lower in these 

 females than they Avere in the males then examined : in this respect there 

 is no sexual difference. 



On inquiry of the man who brought these fish from Newcastle, he said, 

 such a take of White Sole, as he called them (and as they were named in 

 the market by the dealers), had never been known there before, and he 

 had for many years been a fisherman. About 70 more of these fishes had 

 been taken at the same time, although not brought to Belfast. He never 

 before knew more than " an odd one '' to be captured. The Wliijf he would 

 include under the name of the W/iife Sole, I presume, as he had not re- 

 marked the individual I got to difler from the others. 



The Pole being unknown in the market here, they met Avith a miserable 

 sale. I bought 4 of the best for Is. (sole would have been 4s.) on the 

 fii'st day, and the next day I saw about 35 couple that seemed unsaleable. 



We had five of them dressed for dinner, and considered them passably 

 good fish, but not at all flavoured like, nor equal to, the sole. Cuvier 

 remarks that in Paris the PI. Pola is as much esteemed as the sole ; but 

 it is not so in Ireland. In Dublin, where the JJliite Sole is well known, it 

 is reckoned so inferior that the cry of the peripatetic fishwomen is, " had- 

 dock and black sole," by which latter name the Solea vulf/aris is distin- 

 guished from its lighter-coloured congener. They are much thinner than 

 soles ; indeed I would think that almost twice as much food is on a sole 

 of equal size as on one of them. To close sales, 54 of the lot already 

 mentioned and of considerable size were on the second day sold for 2s. 



The Holibut, Hipjm/lossus vulgaris, Cuv., 



Is occasionally taken on all parts of the coast. 



Since my attention was first given to fishes, not more than seven or 

 eight holibuts in the year have been brought to Belfast market. 



Thirteen examples, noted down as seen here by me Avithin a fcAv years, 

 Avere chiefly taken on the coasts of DoAvn and Antrim, including Belfast 

 Bay, Avhere they occur from December to March inclusive. In one 

 instance only Avere tAvo offered for sale on the same day ; the largest of 

 these did not exceed 5 feet in length and 1 20 lbs. in weight ; but examples 

 weighing H CAvt. and 2^ cwt. have been brought to Belfast market. This 

 last one Avas captured at BallyAvalter (Co. DoAvn) some years ago. 



The holibut would seem from the testimony of English authors to be 

 little esteemed ; but though deficient in any high flavour, like the turbot 

 and the sole, I consider it a very good fish, as do numerous friends Avhom 

 I have prevailed on to try this giant of our flat-fishes. 



Some years ago it was unsaleable in our market, but it is noAV readily 

 sold at 4(/. per lb. 



