392 HISTORY OF THE FISHES OF MASSACHUSETTS. 
The fin rays are as follows: — D. 98. P. 11. V. 6. A. 70-75. C. 18. 
Length, twelve to twenty-one inches. 
Remarks. This species is frequently taken in the winter season at Provincetown ; 
and is occasionally brought to Boston market. It is a sweet fish, but is not 
generally relished as well as the P. plana. It is known as the Sand-dab. The 
largest specimen I have seen, measured twenty-one inches in length, and weighed 
three and a half pounds. | 
Massachusetts, Storer. Connecticut, Lixstey, Ayres. New York, Mrrcnuirr, 
Drxay. 
PLATESSA FERRUGINEA, Storer. 
The Rusty Flounder. 
(PLATE XXX. Fie. 4.) 
Platessa ferruginea, Rusty Dab, StoRER, Report, p. 141, Plate II. 
T rà Rusty Flat-fish, DEKAY, Report, p. 297. 
fk E STORER, Mem. Amer. Acad., New Series, 11. p. 476. 
T x z Synopsis, p. 224. 
Color. All the right side of the body is of a reddish slate color, with a tinge 
of green, covered with numerous large, irregularly formed ferruginous spots. The 
fins have the color of the body. Beneath, of a clear white, except the posterior por- 
tion in front of the caudal fin, the caudal fin, and the margins of the dorsal and 
anal, which are a lemon yellow. ‘The pupils are black, the irides golden. 
Description. Body elliptical. The depth of the body is rather more than one 
third the entire length of the fish. Its surface is roughened by the scales. The 
length of the head is less than one fourth the length of the fish. The mouth is 
small; the lips are tumid. The jaws are equal, with a row of numerous small 
teeth in each jaw;.those upon the colored side of the upper jaw are very minute. 
The anterior nostril is tubular. The eyes are large, and separated by a bony ridge, 
which arises in front of the centre of the upper eye, (the fish being placed upon 
its belly with the tail towards the describer,) and, passing in front of and around 
that eye, goes backwards and downwards to the posterior superior angle of the ` 
operculum, where the lateral line commences. The lateral line at its origin 
curves upward to a height equal to about one fourth the length of the head; and 
at the distance of about one half the length of the head from its commencement 
assumes a straight course, which it pursues to the extremity of the caudal fin. - 
The dorsal fin arises over the anterior third of the upper orbit, and its rays 
gradually increase in their length towards its middle, where they are longest. This 
