THE FLAT FISH FAMILY. 



211 



fish is taken chiefiy by means of the trawl-net, but in some 

 places it is fished for by well-baited lines. We derive large 

 quantities of our turbot from Holland, so much as £100,000 

 having been paid to the Dutch in one year for the quantities of 

 these fish which were brought to London, and on which, at one 

 time, a duty of £6 per boat was exigible. This fish spawns 

 during the autumn, and is in fine condition for table use during 

 the spring and early summer. Yarrell says the turbot spawns 

 in the spring ; but, with due respect, I think he is wrong ; I 

 would not, however, be positive about this, for there will no 



Flounder. 



THE PLEURONECTID^ FAMILY. 



2. Turbot. 3. Plaice. 4: Sole. 



S. Dab. 



doubt be individuals of the turbot kind, as there are of all 

 other kinds, that wiU spawn all the year round. The turbot 

 is a great flat fish. In Scotland, from its shape, it is called 

 "the bannock fluke." It is about twenty inches long, and 

 broad in proportion ; and a prime fish of this species wiU weigh 

 from eight to twelve pounds. 



The best-known fish of the Pleuronectidse is the sole (Solea 

 vulgaris), which is largely distributed in aU our seas, and used 



