278 



Ayres' Enumeration of the 



easily explained, if we suppose Dr. Dekay and Dr. Storer re- 

 ferring, as appears almost certain, to two distinct species. 



Pleuronectes 



This is the fish considered by Dr. Storer to be the Pleuro- 

 nectes aquosus of Mitchill ; the differences of the two we will 

 now consider. 



Pleuronectes aquosus Mitch. 



" Measured nine inches from nose 

 to tail, and when the dorsal and anal 

 fins were expanded, five and three 

 quarters across.*' In my specimen, 

 length ten and three quarters, 

 breadth, exclusive of the fins, five 

 and a quarter. 



" Another of the largest magni- 

 tude, was eleven inches long, 



55 



" Eyes yellowish ; " in my speci- 

 mens, eyes bright yellow. 



Lower jaw the longer in my 

 specimens; "teeth small, though 

 sharp." 



" Dorsal fin commences between 

 the right eye, and the upper lip." 

 In my largest specimen, the dorsal 

 rises four-tenths of an inch anterior 

 to the orbit of the upper eye, and 

 one-fourth of an inch posterior to the 

 point of the upper jaw. 



The rays of the anterior part of 

 the dorsal, are free for nearly half 

 of their length, presenting a digitate 

 appearance. Mitchill's figure in 

 this respect is inaccurate. 



Length of caudal rays, in my spe- 

 cimen, two and three-tenths inches, 

 making the proportionate length for 

 a fish of eighteen inches, nearly 

 three and eight-tenths. 



Fin rays, " D. C5 ; A. 54." 



Rhoinbus aquosus. Storer. 



" Length of the fish eighteen 

 inches, depth across the middle, ex- 

 clusive of the fins, seven inches. 



" Specimens have been caught 

 the last season weighing twenty 

 pounds." 



" Irides silvery." 



" Jaws equal in length, and 

 armed with a single row of sepa- 

 rated, quite large, sharp teeth." 



" The dorsal fin arises over the 

 anterior half of the orbit of the 

 eyes." 



The corresponding rays are much 

 shorter, and but slightly free at their 

 extremities. 



" Length of caudal rays, two and 

 a half inches," in a specimen eigh- 

 teen inches long. 



Fin rays, " D. 89 ; A. 68." 



The two fish appear thus, manifestly distinct. Of the 

 species recorded by Dr. Storer, I have been unable to find 

 any previously published description ; and as I cannot satisfy 

 myself, that it ought to be referred to any one of those de- 



