^98 SYNOPSIS. 



under jaw rather shortest ; first dorsal acutely triangular, 

 the apex elevated considerably above the second dorsal, 

 the latter continued to within a short distance of the tail, 

 the anal corresponding to it, but not originating so far for- 

 wards ; tail rounded ; ventral rays twice as long as the 

 head j colour of the upper parts dusky-bro-v\-n, belly whit- 

 ish ; fins dusky purple. — Flem. Brit. An.,^. 193; Yarr. 

 Brit. Fish., ii. 289. Blennius physis, Pejm. Bnt. ZooL, 

 iii. p. 259, pi. 35. 

 Gen. LXXX. Raniceps. Head very broad and depressed ; 

 dorsals two, the first low and inconspicuous, composed of only 

 a few rays ; second dorsal and anal elongated ; ventrals small, 

 the two anterior rays long and detached from the rest. 



Sp. 167. R. trifurcatus. Tadpole-fish. Mouth very wide ; 

 body very much compressed towards the tail ; a row of 

 tubercles on each side above the pectoral fins : lateral line 

 curved downwards near the middle ; caudal small and 

 oval ; colour brown. — Flem. Brit. An., p. 194; Yarr. Brit. 

 Fish., ii. 292. Barbus minor, Ray. Batrachoides trifur- 

 catus, Petm. Brit. Zool, iii. p. 272, pi. 38. 

 Fam. XIX. Pleuronectidce. Flat-fish Family. Body flat 

 and vertically compressed, both eyes on the same side of the head; 

 sides of the mouth unequal; dorsal fin single, extending the whole 

 length of the hack, the anal correspoiiding to it, and the ventrals 

 appearing like a continuation of the latter. 



Gen. LXXXI. Platessa. Form rhomboidal ; both eyes on 

 the right side of the head ; a single row of teeth in each jaw, 

 and the pharyngeal bones with teeth forming a pavement ; 

 dorsal commencing on a line with the upper eye, and not 

 reaching to the caudal ; the latter rounded. 



Sp. 168. P. vulgaris. Common Plaice. Greatest breadth 

 (exclusive of the fins) equal to half the length ; tail much 

 contracted before the caudal ; a row of five or six osseous 

 tubercles on the eye side of the head ; lateral line arched 

 over the pectoral ; both sides of the body smooth, the 

 scales minute and entire : colour of the upper side rich 

 brown with scattered spots of bright orange-red ; under 



