CLASS PISCES. 101
Gains Raniceps, Cuvier.
Raniceps raninus, Collett. Lesser Fork-beard.
Day records (Fishes of Great Britain, vol. i., p. 321) the
capture of one by Mr. S. W. Waud, in May, 1858, in the river
Crouch.
Family OPHIDIIDAE, Muller.
Genus Ammodytes, Artedi.
Ammodytes lanceolatus, Le Sauvage. Larger Launce
or Sand Eel.
This is found, but not so commonly as the next species.
Ammodytes tobianus, Linn. Lesser Launce.
This is common, but I do not think it is ever especially
fished for, as is the case in the West of England, where large
numbers are caught for bait.
Family PLEURONECTIDAE, Risso.
Genus RHOMBUS, Cuvier.
Rhombus maximus, Cuvier. Turbot.
This well-known and valuable fish is taken on all parts of
our coast where suitable ground occurs. It is most frequently
captured by trawling ; but many are caught on the sandy
shores of Foulness Island in " kettles" : that is, by means of
nets arranged in a V-shape, the apex pointing seawards,
and with small spaces left between each set of nets, so that
the fish, as the tide rises, pass between the nets, and are left
stranded in the points, as the tide falls.
Rhombus laevis, Rondeletius. Brill.
This fish is also captured in the same manner, and is not rare.
Genus Pleuronectes, Artedi.
Pleuronectes platessa, Linn. Plaice.
Although it is very common on all parts of the coast,
Plaice is said "not to be taken by the hook." While fishing with