102 THE MAMMALS, REPTILES, AND FISHES OF ESSEX.
a very small hook and light tackle, however, I have taken
them very frequently, both in the Crouch and the Blackwater.
It is a very good-flavoured fish, although rather watery.
Pleuronectes microcephalus, Donovan. Smear Dab,
Lemon Dab, or Mary Sole.
This is taken frequently on the coast and in the estuaries,
but only by trawling. It is one of the best of this useful and
well-flavoured family.
Pleuronectes limanda, Linn. Dab.
This fish is taken continually in the season, on all parts of
the coast, by nets and hooks. Though generally considered
by the London dealers as of no value, it is, when cooked,
according to my experience, nearly or quite equal, to the
Sole, and, therefore, far better than the Plaice, which (for
some reason that I cannot understand) is much preferred
by the dealer. It may be because of the smaller size of
the Dab. The largest I have ever caught weighed one
pound and a halt.
Pleuronectes flesus, Linn. Flounder.
A fish common everywhere on all parts of the coast,
ascending rivers much beyond the tideway, and very frequently
seen in the slightly brackish water of the marsh ditches.
Flounders sell everywhere, but I cannot say I think them of
much value for the table.
Genus SOLEA, Klein, Cuv.
Solea vulgaris, Quensel. Sole.
This very common and delicious fish occurs on all our
sandy coasts in great, but largely-diminishing, numbers. The
trawl is the chief instrument for capturing it, since it
very rarely takes a hook.