266 
THE HALIBUT. 
Tlie Spotted Turbot ( Bothus maculatus ) is a small species, not very familiar ; called in 
New Jersey Window Pane, and in New York Sand Flounder. Its range is from Cape Cod to 
Hatteras. Mitchell described it as the Yew York Plaice ( Pleuronectus maculatus ), and it 
is also called Watery Flounder. It has been sold in Yew England as English Turbot, and 
is nearly, if not quite equally good a food-fish, as the latter. Its common name, Sand 
Flounder, associated with that of the miserable Flounders of our harbors, does not help its 
reputation as an edible. A species called Smooth Plaice is common along the coast from 
Maine southward. Several other species of Flounders are known. 
Another flat fish, the Brill (. Hleuronectes rhombus), called in Scotland the Bonnet 
Fleuk, and in other places known by the names of Kite and Brett, is held in much estima- 
tion for the sake of its flesh, which is but little inferior to that of the turbot, and is, indeed, 
sometimes fraudulently substituted for that fish. The Brill resembles the turbot in food and 
habits as well as in appearance, but does not attain the same dimensions, seldom exceeding 
seven or eight pounds in weight. The skin of the dark side is devoid of the bony tubercles 
which are found in the turbot. Its color is reddish-brown, mottled with a darker tint of the 
same color, and variegated with numerous round white spots of a pearly lustre. On account 
of these spots the Brill is sometimes called the Pearl. When young, the pale reddish-brown 
is covered with spots of black or very dark brown. 
Passing by the two species of Topknots, we come to the Plaice, so well known by the 
bright red spots which are scattered over its dark side. 
This is one of the commonest of the flat fishes, and, happily for the poor, is taken in such 
quantities that it supplies nutritious aliment at a very low rate of purchase. It is taken 
chiefly with the trawl-net, but can be captured with the line, as it bites freely at a bait, 
generally the common lugworm, and is one of the fish that is most usually caught by amateur 
sea-fishers. Even the shrimpers take large quantities of small Plaice in their nets ; and along 
the coast this fish is so numerous, that at low water it may be seen in great numbers darting 
over the sandy flats, the white surface glittering in the light as the little creatures dash wildly 
along in their terror of the approaching enemy. 
The Flounder, Mayock Fleuk, or Butt, is quite as common as the plaice, and is found 
in salt, brackish, or fresh water, sometimes living in the sea, sometimes inhabiting the mouths 
of rivers, and sometimes passing up the stream for many miles. As this fish is capable of 
living in fresh water, it has often been transferred to ponds, and will there fatten rapidly. 
The color of the Flounder is usually brown, taking a darker or lighter shade, according 
to the nature of the ground on which the fish rests, those that inhabit the muddy shores being 
nearly black, and those which prefer the sand taking a yellower hue. Generally, the eyes 
and the color are on the right side, but reversed specimens are very common, and in some 
instances the fish has been entirely white or wholly brown. The average weight of the Flounder 
is three or four pounds. 
One or two other examples of the flat fishes deserve a passing notice. 
The Common Dab (. Platessa limanda) is plentiful upon sandy coasts, and may at once be 
recognized by the roughness of its surface, or structure, which has gained for it the specific 
title of Limanda, or file-back — the Latin word lima signifying a file. Its flesh is very good, 
and is thought to be in best condition from the end of January to April. Its color is pale 
brown, and its length seldom exceeds eight inches. 
A very large species of flat fish is called the Halibut (. Hippoglossus vulgaris). The flesh 
is tolerably good, but is rather dry and without much flavor. It is rather longer in proportion 
to its width than is generally the case among flat fishes. Its color is brown of different shades, 
and the surface smooth, the small, oval-shaped scales which cover it being soft and without 
projections. This fish attains a large size, specimens of five feet in length not being uncommon. 
