FLAT-FISHES. 



179 



on the lower side of the snout; the scales are ctenoid. Four 

 species of Solea occur off our coasts, the Common Sole, the most 

 valuable of the four, the Sand Sole, the Thickback and the 

 diminutive Solenette. 



In the Common Sole, Solea vulgaris, 784, fig. 84 D, the 

 pectoral fins of both upper and under sides are of considerable 

 size, and the nostrils of the two sides are similar. The markings 

 of the upper side consist of longitudinal series of black blotches 

 on a yellowish-brown ground. The Sole is the most valuable 

 of the Flat-fishes on account of the delicacy of its flavour. It 

 is a warm water fish, and is abundant in various localities around 

 the coasts of England and Ireland, less common on the coast of 



Fig. 84. — Flat-fishes {continued). 



D, Sole, Solea vulgaris ; E, Cynoglossus lingua. 

 (After Boulenger, Camb. Nat, Hist., vii, 1904.) 



Scotland ; it occurs also plentifully in the Bay of Biscay, off 

 Portugal and in the Mediterranean Sea. The Sole is caught 

 exclusively by the trawl, and in depths of less than 25 fathoms. 

 Between 75,000 and 80,000 cwts. of Soles, valued at about 

 £500,000, are landed in Britain annually. The principal British 

 fishing grounds are off the Devon and Cornish coasts, and off 



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