460 SEVENTH REPORT OF THE FOREST, FISH AND GAME COMMISSION. 



tiguous parts within it and tlie brown of the adjacent fins. The other variety, 

 obtained April g, 1815, has "a whiteness of the upper side nearly as clear as that of 

 the nether surface over rather more than half its extent. The anterior part is 

 blanched in this manner. The dorsal fin very sensibly partakes of the lighter hue : 

 but its dark brown is tinctured with yellow, especially on the rays. Something of 

 the same kind, though less distinct, is observable on the \-entral fins, and on about 

 a dozen rays of the anal." The length of this individual was 5 inches and the 

 breadth 3. Dr. DeKay obtained a specimen in April which was reversed and 

 double. " Its color on both sides was uniform bronze, with a white patch on its 

 right side near the chin, almost entirely denuded of scales ; it had the singular pro- 

 tuberance over the eye, noticed by Dr. MitchiU in his inclaiioj^'astcr." 



On the New Jersey coast young individuals are very common in suminer, but the 

 adults are rarely found except in the winter. 



At Woods Hole, Mass., this is a very abundant permanent resident, frequenting 

 muddy or grassy bottoms. The average weight of those taken in the immediate 

 vicinity of the Fish Commission Station was only i pound, but larger fish are found 

 in the deeper water of the sound and bay. In October fish averaging 2 pounds, 

 and apparently migrating, are taken with lines in Vineyard Sound on sandy bottom. 



Ill tlie markets this species is extremely common in the winter and spring 

 months, and the flesh is delicious even when the eggs are nearly mature. It feeds 

 on small shells, crabs and other invertebrates living in the mud. \Mien at rest it 

 partly submerges itself in the sand or mud, and changes its color to suit its 

 surroundings. 



In Long Island bays the Flatfish spawns from February to the end of March, 

 and in Jul\- the young have attained to the length of half an inch. At Woods 

 Hole, Mass., according to Dr. Smith, it spawns from February to April. On being 

 transferred to tanks containing running water, many deposit their eggs during the 

 night. The eggs are \ ,„ of an inch in diameter and very glutinous, sticking together 

 in masses of various sizes. The average number to a fish is 500,000. March 6, 1897, 

 a fish that weighed 3)^ pounds after spawning furnished 30 fluid ounces of eggs, 

 numbering 1,462,000. The eggs hatch in 17 or 18 days, when the mean water tem- 

 perature is 37° or 38° F. 



