﻿Pleuronectes. gangetic fishes. 127 



fin, and fifty-five in that behind the vent ; and with a long body 

 devoid of tubercles on the upper side. 



From the description of La Cepede, {Hist, des Poissons, 

 Tome IV. p. 598,) it would appear, that the nauphala has some 

 affinity to the P. dentatus : but the accounts of the latter are 

 imperfect ; and, from its being a native of North America, 

 it may be presumed different from our Indian kind. This 

 has also some affinity to the P. rhombus, or pearl, of the Eng- 

 lish ; but is longer in the shape, like the P. hypoglossus, or 

 holybut. 



The nauphala is found in the Gangetic estuaries, grows to 

 about eight inches in length, and was rejected with loathing 

 by the natives, among whom I saw it. The fish is narrow in pro- 

 portion to its length, being shaped like the iron of a lance, 

 while its greatest width is before the middle. Its upper or left 

 side is rough, and of a greenish-brown colour, on which are 

 scattered some black spots. The under side is whitish and 

 smooth. 



The head is oval, sharp, small, rough, and covered with 

 scales. The mouth is large, and, when shut, forms an oblique 

 arch. The jaws, when open, are protruded, and the under 

 one is the longest, and on each side without has a sharp ridge. 

 The lips are somewhat fleshy, and the bones of the upper are 

 dilated at the lower ends. In each jaw is a single row of 

 sharp awl-shaped large teeth, nearly equal in size, and placed 

 at equal distances from each other. The tongue is narrow, 

 sharp, and small, and moves freely. The palate is smooth. 

 The nostrils are in the middle between the eyes and jaw, each 

 having two small apertures. The eyes are oval, with pupils 

 of a kidney form. The gill-covers are scaly, somewhat arched 

 behind, and move freely. Each consists of four plates, and 

 conceals its membrane, which is thin, and contains seven rays 



