PLATE LXn. 
The quality of this fish appears to vary with the nature of its 
^ood, for we cannot otherwise account for the difference in the Soles 
caught at the same season of the year, on different parts of our 
Coasts, The old fishermen affirm, that the far greater number of 
^he soles resort to particular spots or beds in tlie sea, itt which they 
Itawl with more success than upon any other. They further say, 
that the fish which haunt particular spots, differ from those they 
^od elsewhere in quality ; sometimes they are much superior, both 
size and goodness, and at others greatly inferior, which seems 
"odoubtedly to depend upon the nature of the food, that attracts 
to those particular haunts. Even the Soles found in the 
®ame place in the following season, doi^ not Invariably prove of 
same quality, as those caught before. Thus for Instance, in the 
London markets, the fishmongers make the distinction of Brighton 
Brixham Soles, West country Soles, Thames Soles, Slips, &c. 
When a new bed, or haunt of Soles, happens to be discovered, 
®3mples of the fish arc transmitted to the markets, in order, by trial, 
s^certaln the relative goodness of the sort, which not always de- 
fending upon the size, cannot otherwise be well determined. A 
^ind of criterion is thus established, by means of which even the 
^“ctuating price of this article is In a certain measure governed after- 
'vards. The Brighton Soles brought by land carriage have main- 
*^incd the superiority for some years past in the London markets. 
Tile most considerable fisheries for the Soles is carried on upon the 
'''estern coasts, where they are found of a mucli larger size than on 
other part of our coasts. These, we are informed, aie not un- 
^''oquently taken of five or six pounds weight. Pennant speaks of 
even rather larger. It is remarkable, that upon the eastern coast 
ftey are rarely taken of a size by any means so considerable ; seldom, 
