THE FLAT-FISHES. .77 



THE FLAT-FISHES. 



(Family: Pleuronectidce.) 



LIKE the family of the Gobies, this family of fishes em- 

 braces a huge number of different forms ; but, unlike the 

 Gobies, they include a very large number of species of the 

 greatest economic importance ; and most of them are used 

 by Man in different parts of the world as food. As will be 

 apparent, perhaps, from their general shape, they are all 

 bottom-haunting fishes. The smallest among them average 

 but a few inches in length, but the majority grow to a 

 fairly-large size : while a few of them are very large indeed. 

 The largest of all is the Halibut (Hippoglossus nil gar-is} of 

 European seas, which attains to the comparatively enormous 

 length of 10 feet or more, with a correspondingly huge 

 weight ; examples of 6 to 7 feet in length being common. 



These fishes are termed "Flat-Fishes" on account of 

 the strongly-compressed, high and flat body, which, in a 

 varying extent, is common to all of the species. It must 

 be at once remembered that they lie on tlieir sides and that 

 the dark or coloured part which is uppermost, is one of 

 the sides and not the back. It is well to remember this, 

 otherwise a great deal of confusion will arise. That side 

 which rests against the bottom is normally whitish and 

 without any spots of colour; while the upper side is 

 variously coloured, according to the habitat and the en- 

 vironment of the particular species ; some being striped or 

 spotted, while others are mottled or of uniform colour. Not 

 uncommonly however in certain species, both sides are 

 coloured alike ; the lower surface assuming the tints of the 

 upper. I have known this to occur rarely in one of our 

 own common Flounders. 



In adult Fiat-Fishes, both eyes it will be noticed 

 are on the same side of the head ; in some being very close 

 together and far removed from the upper border of the 

 head, while in others they are far apart ; the one belonging 

 to the underside apparently having just managed to make 

 its way round to the desired side and no more. In their 



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