PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 81 



This is not of very frequent occurrence in our markets, although it 

 can scarcely be called rare. It attains a larger size than any other of 

 our species except, the true Hippof/lossus, and it is probably this circum- 

 stance, together with its elongated form, that has led the fishermen to 

 name it the "Bastard Halibut." Large specimens are sold under this 

 name, but immature individuals are retailed as "Turbot." The largest 

 I have yet seen weighed, respectively, 43 and 5S pounds, and the latter 

 measured about 4 feet 10 inches in length when entire. It is very sel- 

 dom taken in the bay, and is said to bo of more frequent occurrence 

 southwards than northwards, but I cannot at present ascertain its south- 

 ern range. From its occurrence at Monterey it is often called the Mon- 

 terey halibut. It is said to be a tough, coarse fish. It is taken as far 

 north as Tomales Bay. Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4 (of which the dimensions 

 are given) are young* alcoholic specimens in the Museum of the Cal. 

 Acad. Sci., and their dorsal and anal fin-rays AA^ere, respectively, D. 76, 

 A. 60; D. 70, A. 55; D. 70, A. 55; and D. 71, A. 53. No. 5 had 69 dor- 

 sal and 53 anal rays. Some specimens have a feAv jiores on the occi^mt 

 behind and above the horizon of the upper eye, running- downwards and 

 backwards towards the lateral line. The number of scales in the lateral 

 line is very difiicult to count. From all the other Californian species 

 with large jaws, it may be known by its elongate form and boldly arched 

 lateral line. 



I have for some time suspected that Uropsetta californica (Ayres) Gill, 

 and Paralichthys maculosus Girard, were identical, and I think that I can 

 now demonstrate their identity beyond reasonable doubt. My suspicion 

 arose as follows : The large specimens of the Monterey halibut, weighing* 

 40-50 pounds, are considered by all the dealers to be of the same species as 

 the small specimens, and, from their general similarity, no doubt as to 

 their identity with each other and with Uropsetta californica arose in my 

 mind until, on critically couiparing a small individual with Girard's de- 

 scrii)tion of P. viaciilosus, I found that it agreed with the latter in every 

 particular except in its sinistral eyes and color. Now arose two ques- 

 tions : 1st. Were the large individuals really specifically identical with 

 the small ones f 2d. Was there a dextral form, and, if so, was the dex- 

 tral form a distinct species f 



I have not yet had the opportunity to take full measurements of a full- 

 grown individual, as all the large ones I have seen were cut up before I 

 examined them, but I have the following- reasons to give for includiug- 

 all under one species : 



1st. The form of the caudal fin and the outline of the posterior ]}art of 

 the body are alike in large and small sinistral individuals ; the former 

 having the sinuous posterior margin, with the central and external rays 

 l)roduced, described by Girard as characteristic of P. macuJosus. 



2d. The smaller sinistral individuals agree with Ayres's description 

 of Hlppoglossus ( Uropsetta) cali/ornicus, except in the form of the tail, 

 which is shown as slightly concave in Ajtcs's figure (Proc. Cal. Acad. 

 Proc. Nat. Mus. 79 6 July 9,18 79. 



