207 



SOLENETTE. 



LITTLE SOLE, 



Solea parva, sive lAngula, Willoughby; p. 102. Table F. 8, f. 1. 

 MonocTiirus minutus, Parxell; Magazine of Zoology aud Botany, 



" linguatulus, vol. i, p. 627, pi. 16. 



Yahrell; Br. Fishes, vol. ii, p. 355. 

 Solea minuta, Gunthee; Cat. Br. Museum, vol. iv, p. 470. 



This smallest of the Soles has always been known as a distinct 

 species by fishermen, although disregarded by them as of little 

 value for the market; and in consequence of this it remained 

 only obsciu-ely known to naturalists until it was noticed by 

 Dr. Parnell, who found it in some abundance in trawls on the 

 south coast of Devonshire. It is also common in Cornwall, 

 where this method of fishing is jDractised; but I do not know 

 of an instance where it has been taken with a line; which may 

 be because it keeps at a good distance from land, where no 

 hooks are employed of so small a size as could be supposed to 

 enter its mouth. Sometimes also it is procured fi'om the stomach 

 of the larger fishes. 



The length of the example selected for description was five 

 inches, which appears to be the usual size; breadth one inch 

 and five sixths, exclusive of the fins: the general proportions as 

 in the Sole, but more tapering towards the tail. The forehead 

 rises in a curve, but is less rounded than in the Lemon Sole. 

 The mouth twisted, and large in proportion; jaws more equal 

 than in the Common Sole; but the under jaw projects, and has 

 prominent teeth, those in the uj)per side small. Eyes near each 

 other, the right eye near the angle of the mouth, both sunk 

 in the surface; nostrils close in front of the right eye. Head 



