456 DEEP-SEA FISHES OF THE ATLANTIC BASIN. 



of 100 simple rays, the longest (14) being behind the middle of the fin and slightly longer 

 than the longest of the dorsal (13). Tbe caudal is sessile, rounded, the middle rays (20) 

 about one-sixth of standard length of body. The pectoral is present only on the colored 

 side, is inserted close to the edge of the operculum, its length (27) exceeding that of the 

 head, and contained 4J times in the standard length. The ventral of the colored side is 

 nearly on the ridge of the abdomen, while that on the blind side is mostly lateral, and 

 slightly larger than its fellow. The length of the left ventral (7) is about 3J times in length 

 of head. 



The color on the left side is light brownish gray: the fins are mostly dusky except the 

 right ventral, which is pale; the pectoral and the eyelids are black. 



D. 124; A. 100; Y. C; P. 12: scales 30-105-32 (18 in curved portion of lateral line). 



A single specimen, the type (xvi), 114 millimeters long, was taken by the Blake off 

 Barbados in 288 fathoms, and another one (xvn) in the same locality at a depth of 218 

 fathoms. 



Family SOLEID^E, 



Soleida; (Jill, Arr. Families of Fishes, 1872, 2 (to include Giinther, iv, 462-504, Dame onlj < : Century Dic- 

 tionary, 5755. 



Heterosomata with body oval or elliptical, and nearly equally developed above and 

 below the lateral line. Scales small (ctenoid or cycloid), or absent; the lateral line usually 

 straight (sometimes double or triple). The head small, with rounded, projecting snout, and 

 upper jaw more or less hooked. Opercular bones concealed by the integument. Eyes 

 approximated, the upper more or less advanced; the opercula concealed by the scales. 

 Mouth unsynimetrical and rather small and curved: teeth some times wanting, generally 

 confined to the blind side of the jaws, and villiform. Branchiostegal rays usually 7. 



Dorsal, anal, and caudal fins usually separate, sometimes continent. The dorsal origin 

 is on the snout, the anal under the pectoral; pectorals small or absent: ventrals small and 

 variously developed. Vertebrae very numerous, but unequally distributed, in the typical 

 tonus the abdominal or rib bearing ones being only 8 or in number, and the caudal 

 about 40. 



The family is well distinguished from the Pleuronectidce, especially so far as the Euro- 

 pean and American species are concerned, though some Australian forms are intermediate. 

 {Gill.) 



KEY TO DEEP-WATEB GENERA < >F SoLEID/E. 



I. Mouth small, twisted. 



A. Body dextral. Lateral line straight Soh ina 



1. Pectorals well developed SOLEA 



1'. Pectorals minute MlCROCHlRUS 



B. Body sinistral. No pectorals Cynoglossina 



1. No lateral line Aphoristia 



-. One lateral line Ammoplei-rops 



If. Three lateral lines Arelia 



SOLEA, Cuvier. 

 Soha, (Quensel), Gi'XTHER, Cat. Fish. Prit. Mus., iv, 462. 



Dextral pleuronectoids, having a narrow, twisted mouth, and teeth in villiform bands, 

 on blind side only; palatines and vomerines toothless. Origin of dorsal on snout. Scales 

 ctenoid; lateral line straight. Nostrils of blind side not dilated. 



This genus, or group of genera, is of world-wide distribution, except in very cold water 

 It is almost restricted to sandy bottoms at moderate depths. 



