FLAT-FISHES. 26S 



their horizontal position ; and the smaller pec- 

 toral and ventral fins on the under side are advan- 

 tageous where there is so much less room for 



UNDER SIDE OF THE SOLE. 



their action, than with the larger fins that are 

 above. When suddenly disturbed, they some- 

 times make a rapid shoot, changing their position 

 from horizontal to vertical ; if the observer hap- 

 pens to be opposite the white side, they may be 

 seen to pass with the rapidity and flash of a 

 meteor ; but they soon sink dow^n, resuming their 

 previous motionless, horizontal position, and are 

 then distinguished with difficulty, owing to their 

 great similarity in colour to the surface on which 

 they rest."* 



Very little variation from the common form is 

 found in this Family, which yet is rather numer- 

 ous in species : one hundred and fifty are enume- 

 rated by the Prince of Canino, which are all 

 * Brit. Fishes, ii. 298. 



