116 

 ON THE EDIBLE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



BY DAVID HUMPHREYS STOKER, M.D. 



The Flounder (Platessa plana, Storer). — This is the most common 

 flat-fish taken in the waters of Massachusetts. It is captured in con- 

 siderable quantities throughout all the warm season of the year near the 

 shore from the wharves and bridges ; and in the winter is speared through 

 the ice. The finest brought to Boston market are taken from around 

 Deer Island — and those from that locality frequently measure from 12 

 to 18 inches. The largest specimen of this species I have ever seen 

 measured 21 inches in length and 17 in width. 



The Flounder of New York (P. dentata, Storer). This species is 

 frequently taken in the winter season at Province Town, and is occa- 

 sionally brought to Boston market. It is a sweet fish, but is not 

 generally relished as well as the P. plana. It is known as the Sand- 

 dab. The largest specimen I have seen, measured 21 inches in length, 

 and weighed 3| pounds. * 



The rusty flounder (P. ferruginea, Storer), is from 18 to 20 inches 

 long. This species is occasionally brought to Boston market in the 

 winter and early part of spring, from the north-western coast of Massa- 

 chusetts' Bay, and principally from the vicinity of Cape Arm, where it 

 is taken in about 30 fathoms of water. P. glabra is not a common 

 species. It is taken in company with the plana, and is generally known 

 as the plaice. 



The American Turbot {Platessa oblonga, Dekay). — This species 

 is quite common during the summer and early part of autumn. It is 

 taken along shore in very shallow water, and frequently weighs from 15 

 to 20 lb. At Province Town it is known as the plaice ; in Boston market 

 it is called the turbot. It is an excellent fish, and is considered by 

 judges to be fully equal to the Rhombus maximus, English turbot. For 

 a number of years a few specimens had occasionally been yearly brought 

 to Boston market, when Captain Atwood, about the year 1841, conceived 

 the project of bringing them alive by the cargo in the well of his smack. 

 For three years he succeeded well in disposing of several loads in 

 this manner — some being bought, by those who knew their value as 

 turbot, and others as young halibut. When, however, in the year 1844, 

 the fishermen commenced packing in ice halibut taken upon George's 

 Banks, and were thus enabled to keep the market supplied with that 

 fish in a state of perfect preservation, the species we are consider- 

 ing could not be sold. In the lattter part of 1847, Captain Atwood 

 brought to Boston a smack load of most excellent turbot, alive, and sold 

 but two hundred weight — the remainder died upon his hands, while 

 species of infinitely inferior quality met with a ready sale in the 

 market. 



The Spotted Turbot [Pleurouectes maculatus, Mitchill), is not used 



