48 A CORNISH FAUNA. 



Mullers Topknot (Rhombus hirtus). Not well-known, but not 

 uncommon. Its flesh, is excellent. I do not think Block's 

 Topknot (R. punctatus) has ever been taken in our seas, but 

 the two fish are so much alike that they may well have been 

 confounded. Eckstrom's Topknot (R. Norvegicus : Grunther) 

 has been taken in the Bristol channel. Whether that is 

 Cornish water is doubtful. 



Megrim (R. Arnoglossus) Scald fish. This is not a common fish, 

 and it is not, I think, certain that it is more than a variety 

 (may be the partly developed young) of the " Carter." 

 G-unther calls it " Arnoglossus Lanterna." Mr. Couch, 

 (British Fishes), in describing the megrim, refers to some 

 specimens of " Arnoglossus lophotes " which probably 

 occurred at Plymouth, but I understand his conclusion and 

 that of Mr. Yarrell to be that these were accidental varieties 

 of the principal fish. 



Plaice (Platessa vulgaris). Of uncertain occurrence, and very 

 variable value for the table. In observations in Mount's 

 Bay, extending over 25 years, I have remarked that when 

 the Masked Crab ( Corystes Cassivelaunus) is common in the 

 early spring, Plaice in the summer, and Bed Mullet in the 

 autumn, are always abundant. The Plaice from a bard close 

 killas sand are usually good edible fish. Those from a loose 

 granite sand are valueless. 



Dab (Platessa limanda). Very common, and by no means a bad 

 fish. 



Smear Dab (Platessa micro cephalus) Lemon Dab. Smooth Dab. 

 A very excellent fish. Common in some localities. 



Pole (Platessa pola). Has been taken in Cornwall, but I am in- 

 clined to think only rarely. 



Flounder (Platessa flesus). Common as a harbour fish and in 

 tidal fresh waters. 



Sole (Solea vulgaris). Common. Usually captured in nets, but 

 there is no reason why it should not be taken in any quan- 

 tities on lines if only hooks small enough were used. 



Variegated Sole (Monochirus Variegatus.) Pare. It is with diffi- 

 culty that this fish can be distinguished from the common 

 sole until the texture of its flesh be tested. 



