/» REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS OF INLAND FISHERIES. 



islands. In Rhode Island it is taken somewhat frequently in outside 

 waters, but is onh^ rarely found in Narragansett Bay. May, June, 

 and early July are the only months in the year when it approaches 

 near enough to the shore to be taken in the fish-traps. At Woods 

 Hole, it is stated by Dr. Smith that this species is most abundant 

 in June, particularly about the time of the scup run. Its normal 

 habitat is in somewhat deeper water than that of the preceding 

 species; according to Goode, it is the most abundant in 10 to 20 

 fathoms of water. Several specimens of this species were taken in 

 100 fathoms of water off the Rhode Island coast by the Fish Hawk 

 in September, 1880. 



II. Reproduction. The testimony of numerous observers agrees 

 that this species spawns in May. The eggs have been experimentally 

 hatched by the United States Fish Commission at Woods Hole. 

 The eggs are buoyant, 1-26 of an inch in diameter, and they hatch 

 in eight days when the mean water temperature is 51° to 56° F.* 

 The young of this species have very rarely been observed, but in 

 the autumn of 1885 and 1886 large numbers 2 or 3 inches were 

 seined at Woods Hole. 



III. Food. The food of this fish is much like that of most of the 

 other members of the Fiat-Fish family. All bottom animals con- 

 tribute largely to its diet. The stomach of most specimens examined 

 contained the remains of annelids, molluscs, the smaller Crustacea, 

 and small fishes. 



IV. Size. It seldom attains a length of over 14 inches, and 

 usually weighs about a pound. 



THE RUSTY FLAT-FISH. 



{Limanda ferruginca.) 



Plate V. 



I. Habitat and Distribution. This species inhabits the American 

 coast of the Atlantic from Labrador to New York. DeKay reported 



* Smith, Fishes of Woods Hole, Bull. U. S. Fish Com., 1S97, 108. 



