78 NEW SOUTH: WALES 
The following is the experience of Mr. E. Hill in capturing these 
fish :—“ The flounder and sole are the only representatives, so far as we 
know, in our Australian waters. It was atone time alleged by a French 
officer visiting this country that he had caught a turbot while off Sydney 
Heads. Some years subsequent the late Sir W. Denison and Sir Daniel 
Cooper fitted out a trawling expedition along the coast. A vessel of over 
100 tons was placed at their disposal by Messrs. Broomfield and Whit- 
taker, of this city, manned by the ordinary crew, together with a number 
of additional hands placed on board by Captain Denham, of H.M. ship 
‘“‘ Herald,” under charge of Captain Hixson, our present Superintendent 
of Pilots, who, together with the writer and Captain Broomfield, proceeded 
to the scenes of operation, which extended from Broken Bay on the 
north to Jervis Bay on the south, and which voyage lasted over twenty- 
eight days, without any result for the fish sought, although thousands of 
fishes were caught during the time, including the flounder and the sole, 
but no turbot. 
“The flounder is not very abundant, and is caught by line and hook 
as well as by net. With line and hook they have been frequently 
caught over towards Manly Beach, and on the Sow and Pigs sandspit, 
as well as at other placesin the harbour. Botany Bay also affords some 
particular spots where they are most likely to be ; but there is little or 
no certainty of catching a flounder at any time—they come in promis- 
cuously. 
* The sole is one of those rare fishes of this Colony that the founder 
is very frequently made to take its place. ‘Pay your money and have 
your choice.’ Call it either flounder or sole, as you please. There are 
few who know the distinguishing features between flounder and sole, but 
many recognize the distinction when they have them together. 
“The flounder takes a bait as he is swimming, and is armed with rather 
formidable teeth set in a mouth across. The sole will not take a bait, 
nor does he feed except only when perfectly flat on the ground, dark 
side up, and generally with sand and debris to the eyes, leaving his 
mouth, which is formed very like the letter 8 and without perceptible 
teeth, free to take in food. 
“The usual or oly method of taking the sole is by spear during the 
calm mornings of winter when the water is clear; the slightest ripple is 
a serious obstacle. This is sometimes overcome by a little grease or oil 
on the surface of the water, and it is usual to take a piece of fat meat 
for that purpose. The spear should have but one fine steel prong, with 
which you probe the sand on their feeding patches, and when the fish is 
pierced it makes no resistance, and is easily brought to the surface. Very 
frequently two are pierced and brought up at the same time, and in one 
or two instances I have seen three brought in with one probe by strikin; 
the pe where they had accidentally over-lain each other in the feeding 
patch. 
“The sole of this country is a very delicious fish when properly cooked. 
No dependence, however, is to be placed in the certainty of a catch, and 
I know of no grounds more likely than that of Cook’s River channel above 
the Waterworks, or the Wallanora, up George’s River ; at this latter place 
I have been successful, having taken in one morning over 100 pair.” 
