4 g PAPERS FROM TORTUGAS LABORATORY vol. xxxiv 



orbital width, by details of coloration mentioned below, and at about 85 mm. 

 and upward in length, by the nasal spine. 



The color is readily changeable. Changes occur when the fish are handled, and 

 also in adaptation to the bottom. If transferred from slabs of slate to white sand, 

 or vice versa, readjustment may be completed in 10 to 15 seconds. 



In dark phases the eyed side is clouded with dark gray, with darker nuclei, 

 including four submarginal ones following the dorsal contour, three similarly 

 following the ventral, and three equally spaced along the straight part of the 

 lateral line. In intermediate phases the ground color is drab with scattered cir- 

 cular and elliptical spots of cream. The light areas are commonly lightest, and 

 the dark ones irregularly darker, at their periphery. In the male the preocular 

 region is streaked with blue lines with dashes of yellow between. 



If wave motion does not speedily bed the fish by sweeping grains of sand upon 

 it and effacing its outline, the creature does it by a shivering motion. In the 

 bedded fish the eyes may sink within the orbits until they are flush with the 

 general level, or rise till they project to the extent of their full diameter and are 

 all of the fish that remains exposed. 



Tropical America; Brazil northward to New York. W. H. L. 



Familv PLEURONECTIDAE 



The Pleuronectidae normally have the eyes and color on the right side. 



S. F. H. 



Poecilopsetta beanii (Goode) 



This species is common at depths of no to 285 fathoms, but occurs also in 65 

 fathoms. The fish collected range in length from 73 to 160 mm. 



The back is freckled with yellow, and has nine white blotches near base of 

 dorsal and eight at base of anal, giving the fish a checkered appearance along the 

 borders; caudal fin with a pair of black spots, each larger than eye; blind side 

 with four longitudinal rows of black spots, half diameter of pupil, most con- 

 spicuous in the transparent young 75 mm. or less in length, but sometimes still 

 recognizable in the largest fish taken. 



Deep water, from New England to Florida. W. H. L. 



Family ACHIRIDAE. Broad Soles 



Nodogymnus williamsoni Gunter 



Nodogymnus williamsoni Gunter, Copeia, No. 4, 1936, p. 203, figs. 1, 4, 5 — West Pass of 

 Apalachicola Bay, Florida. 



One specimen 130 mm. long, taken in 50 to 58 fathoms, belongs to this species, 

 as was determined by comparing it with the type. • 



Dr. Longley has the following data: D. 65; A. 46; P. on ocular side with 2 

 filamentous rays; lips, tips of rays, margin of operculum, and under side of head 

 fringed; lines of cirri on the latter forming a netted pattern; eyes close together; 



