734 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [16] 

 The two specimens from Limanda ferruginea Lave, iu alcohol, the fol- 



lowing dimensions: 



The appearance of these specimens, especially with respect to the 

 head and anterior segments, is quite different from that of the speci- 

 men from Lopliopsetta maculata. Moreover, the heads of these two 

 specimens differ with respect to each other. I do not, however, recog- 

 nize any difference, either in proportions or in special characteristics, 

 that can not be explained as due to different states of contraction. The 

 Leads of these latter specimens are arcuate, a condition which is plainly 

 the result of unequal lateral contraction of the longitudinal muscles ; 

 they are blunt at the apex with slightly tumid edges, as in the first 

 specimen. The fossa? are plainly lateral. This feature was uncertain 

 in the first specimen, but in these it is quite evident on account of the 

 highly contracted and consequently flattened condition of the anterior 

 segments. 



Although the head of one of these specimens is twice the leugtL of 

 the other, there can be no doubt that the specimens are specifically the 

 same. The shorter head is of nearly uniform size throughout, averag- 

 ing about .5 mm in diameter. It is crossed by exceedingly fine transverse 

 wrinkles, most abundant at the base. These are evidently the result 

 of contraction. The longer head is more slender for the greater part of 

 its length than the other, but thicker at the base. It is, as a whole, 

 somewhat cuneiform in shape. 



When these specimens were placed in glycerine, with a little acetic 

 acid added, the central axis of the head was brought into view. This 

 is seen to be abruptly constricted behind the capitate apex, swollen im- 

 mediately behind the constriction and again at the base of, the Lead, 

 while in tLe middle of the head it is slender. 



The fossa3, whicL are marginal with respect to the Lead but lateral 

 with respect to the body, are profound, and extend in one nearly, in 

 the other quite to the base of the head. 



The segments begin immediately behind the head and are at first 



more than twice as broad as 



long. 



In this feature they are quite dif- 



