FLATFISHES. NORMAN. 281 



as a variation towards symmetry. In reversed examples 

 the right pelvic fin may or may not be developed, and if 

 present, may be equal to or shorter than the left pelvic. 



1. Rhombosolea retiaria. 

 [Black Flounder, Patiki.] 



Khombosolea tapirina (nou Gunther), Hutton, Trans. 

 Proc. X. Zealand Inst, V, 1873, p. 268, pi. XII, 

 fig. 83b. 



Rhombosolea retiaria, Hutton, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (4), 

 XII, 1873, p. 401 ; Trans. Proc. N. Zealand Inst., VI, 

 1874, p. 107; AVaite, Rec. Canterbury Mus., I, 1911, 

 p. 207, pi. XXXVIII. 



Depth of body about twice in the length, length of 

 head 3A to 3f . Dorsal profile of head straight or a little 

 convex. Blind side of head largely naked, with a series 

 of large niuciferous cavities. Snout longer than eye, 

 diameter of which is equal to or greater than inter- 

 orbital width and 7 to 8f in length of head. Maxillary 

 scarcely reaching anterior edge of eye; length of lower 

 jaw of ocular side about 3J in head. Teeth very small. 

 Lower pharyngeals 3^ times as long as broad, triangular, 

 in contact for anterior f of their length ; teeth in several 

 irregular series. 16 to 19 gill-rakers on lower part of 

 anterior arch. Scales mostly cycloid on both sides of 

 body, a few on ocular side of head and anterior part of 

 body with feeble denticulations. 63 to 75 scales in a 

 longitudinal series just above lateral line. Lateral line 

 rising slightly anteriorly. Dorsal (60) 65-67; com- 

 mencing almost at extremity of snout; anterior rays 

 deeply split distally and partly free, remainder bifid ; 

 34th to 37th rays longest, 2 to 2^ in length of head. Anal 

 43-45. Right pectoral with 10 or 11 rays (9 or 10 

 branched), naked, length If to 2 in head. Anterior ray 

 of right pelvic inserted below middle of posterior part 

 of lower eye. Caudal with 3/12/3 rays ; slightly rounded 

 or doubly truncate. Caudal peduncle 3^ to 3^ times as 

 deep as long; depth 2 to 2| in length of head. Length 

 of intestinal tract 1^ times that of fish. Ocular side 

 blackish or brownish, marbled with darker ; head, body, 

 and fins often with numerous whitish (reddish in life) 

 spots, the largest of which are smaller than the eyes; 

 blind side suffused with greyish or brownish. 



