1854.] 139 



PLEURONECTIDiE. 



Genus PLATICHTHYS, Guard. 



Eyes on the left side and general form of Rhombus, but differing from the 

 latter genus by a smaller mouth, a dorsal fin commencing above the eye and 

 leaving, as well as the anal, a considerable space between its posterior margin 

 and the base of the caudal fin. The snout is protruding, the lower jaw being 

 the longest. Small and conical teeth on both sides of the jaws. Lateral line 

 nearly straight, making but a slight curve upwards immediately above the 

 pectorals. 



27. Platichthys rugosus, G. General form of body subelliptical ; head 

 rather long ; snout projecting, lower jaw longest ; a row of short conical teeth. 

 Posterior extremity of upper maxillary extending a little beyond the anterior 

 rim of orbit, and approximating closely to this organ when the mouth is shut. 

 The diameter of the eye is contained about six times in the length of side of 

 head. Head forming the fourth of the whole length. Caudal fin subrounded 

 posteriorly. 



D 57. A 42. C 3. 1.7.7. 1. 2. V 6. P 11. 



The ventrals are small, rounded posteriorly, and are inserted slightly in 

 advance of the base of pectorals, which are of medium development and like- 

 wise rounded posteriorly. Instead of scales, the body is covered with small 

 groups of minute asperities, very rough to the touch. Lateral line slightly 

 arched above the pectorals ; rest of its course straight to the base of caudal fin. 



Leftside dark reddish brown ; fins yellowish green; dorsal and anal with 

 alternate vertical bands of the same color as the body; caudal with longitudinal 

 bands of the same hue. Ventrals and pectorals unicolor. Right side dull 

 yellow. 



From San Francisco, Cal. 



Genus PLEURONICHTHYS, Girard. 



Eyes on the right side ; general form of Platessa. Head small ; mouth very 

 small. Origin of dorsal tin opposite the anterior margin of eye, and bent to- 

 wards the colorless side of the fish. T^eth very inconspicuous, occupying 

 both sides of the jaws. Dorsal and anal fins not reaching the base of caudal. 

 Scales rather below the medium size ; lateral line slightly arched above the 

 pectorals. 



28. Pleuronichthys ccenostjs, G. Body subelliptical ; head small ; snout 

 very short, lower jaw longest; mouth quite small. Teeth minute, conical and 

 acute. Posterior extremity of upper maxillary extending beyond the anterior 

 rim of the orbit. Eyes on the right side and large, the diameter contained less 

 than four times in the length of side of head. Head constituting a little less 

 than the fifth of the entire length. Origin of dorsal in advance of the eye; its 

 posterior margin as well as that of the anal does not unite with the caudal, 

 between which a small space exists. The caudal is rather slender and posteriorly 

 rounded. The insertion of ventrals is quite in advance of the base of pectorals. 

 The outline of both pectorals and ventrals is rounded. 



D 74. A 54. C 3. 1. 7, 6. 1. 3. V 6. P 1. 10. 



Body covered with small scales on the right side, and minute ones on the left. 

 Opercular apparatus apparently smooth, but on a careful examination exhibiting 

 scattered and inconspicuous scales, intermediate in size between those of the 

 sides. Lateral line almost straight, with a slight inflexion upwards, immediately 

 above the pectorals. 



Ground color of body and fins deep brown, maculated with black and 

 yellowish. 



From San Francisco, Cal. 



Genus PAROPHRYS, Girard. 



Eyes on the right side. Body elongated as in Solea, but the head is conical, 

 and the snout protruding, with the lower jaw longer than the upper. Mouth of 



