472 REPORT OF THE 



228. Rockling' {Gaidropsarns ensis Reinhardt). 



The Rockling is found on the Atlantic coast of North America, from Greenland 

 to Cape Hatteras, in deep waters. It reaches a depth in the Gulf Stream of 1,081 

 fathoms. It is not found on the shores, except that the young occasionally stray 

 near the land in summer. 



Order HETEROSOMATA. Flatfishes. 

 Family PLEURONECTID^. Flounders. 



229. Halibut [Hippoglossus hippoglossiis Linnaeus). 



The Halibut is found in all northern seas, extending southward in deep water 

 to France, Chesapeake Bay, and occasionally to the Farallones, off San Francisco. 

 It is abundant throughout the North Atlantic and Pacific and Bering Sea, in water 

 of moderate depth. 



The Halibut is one of the most important of the food fishes, sometimes reaching 

 the weight of 400 pounds. 



It was formerly not very uncommon in Vineyard Sound, but is now very rare. 

 The last one taken was obtained about 14 years ago, the fish weighing about 80 

 pounds. Between 1873 and 1888, during April, a number of large-sized Halibut were 

 taken annually while fishing for Cod off Great Harbor, and elsewhere in the Sound. 

 In 1872 and 1873 Mr. Edwards caught a number, weighing 235 to 240 pound--. 

 Mitchill described the Halibut and so did DeKay, who says that it migrates south 

 on the approach of spring as far as the coast of New York, and returns in June or 

 July. DeKay states that specimens sometimes occur with the eyes and colored 

 surface on the left side. 



230. Fluke {ParaliclitJiys dcntatiis Linnaeus). 



The Fluke, or Summer Flounder, is also known as Plaice. This is found on the 

 east coast, from about Cape Cod to the Gulf of Mexico. Centers of abundance are 

 found on the Connecticut coast and on Long Island. In Rhode Island it is some- 

 times called Brail and Pucker-mouth. 



Mitchill described it as the Flounder of New York, and DeKay called it the 

 Toothed Flatfish. DeKay says the fish is extremely common in New York 

 markets, is called the Summer Flounder, and is a well-flavored fish. 



The Fluke feeds upon small fishes, crustaceans, mussels, mollusks, and occasion- 

 ally on sand-dollars, and squid. This fish is generally found in salt water, but fre- 

 quently ascends fresh streams. In summer it is found near the shores, but in winter 



