446 PLBUE0NECTIDJ3. 



11. Pleuronectes limanda. 



The common Dab. 



Passer asper, Rondel, xi. c. 9. p. 319 ; Schmiev. p. 61 ; Aldrov. ii. c. 46. 



p. 242 ; WiUmjhby, p. 97. tab. F. 4 ; Ray, Syn. p. 32. 

 Limanda, Bellon. De Aquat. p. 145 ; Gesner, pp. 665 & 781. 

 Pleuronectes, sp., AHedi, Gen. p. 17. no. 2 ; Species, p. 58. no. 11 ; Synon. 



p. 33. no. 9. 

 Sandflynder, Sfrmn, Sond)n. i. p. 278. 

 Pleiu-onectes limanda, L. Syst. Nat. i. p. 457 ; Rl. Fische DeutscJtl. ii. 



p. 45. tab. 46 ; Rl. Sclin. p. 145 ; Lacep. iv. p. 621 ; Quensel, Vet. 



Akad. Handl. 1806, p. 220 ; Faber in Ms, 1828, p. 881 ; Donov. Brit. 



Fish. ii. p. 44 ; Turton, Rrit. Faun. p. 96 ; Fries och Ekstr. Skand. 



Fisk. p. 150. pi. 34; Nilss. Skand. Faun. iv. p. 627. 

 Dab, Pennant, Rrit. Zool. iii. p. 201, and edit. 1812, iii. p. 308. 

 La limande, Ituham. Peches, ix. c. 1. p. 267. pi. 6. figs. 1 & 2. 

 Pleuronectes platessoides, Faher, Fische Isl. p. 140 (not Fabr.). 

 Platessa \xm&Tid.a,Flem.Rrit.An. p. 198; Jenyns, Man. p. 456; Yarrell, 



Rrit. Fish. 2nd edit. ii. p. 307, or 3rd edit. i. p. 628 ; Parn. Wern. 



Mem. vii. p. 365. tab. 37, or Fish. Frith of Forth, p. 205. pi. 37. 

 Limanda Tidgaris, Gottsche in Wieym. Arch. 1835, p. 160. 



B. 7. D. 70-76. A. 52-57. L. lat. 98. Vert. 39-40. 

 Caec. pylor. 4. 



The height of the body is nearly one-half of the total length (with- 

 out caudal), the length of the head two-ninths. The greatest depth 

 between the anal fin and the straight portion of the lateral line 

 equals the length of the head. Scales small, with the margin cUiated ; 

 those en the cheek and between the eyes very distinct, smaller than 

 those on the body. No tubercles along the lateral line or the base of 

 the fins. Lateral line with a subsemicirciilar curve above the pec- 

 toral. Snout as long as the eye, the diameter of which is one-sixth 

 of the length of the head. Lower jaw prominent ; maxillary longer 

 than the eye. Upper jaw with a .series of about twenty-two narrow, 

 closely-set lanceolate teeth on the bhnd side. Eyes separated by a 

 narrow flattish ridge, their anterior margins being nearly on the 

 same level. The dorsal fin commences a little before the middle of 

 the eye, and its distance from the caudal is less than the depth of the 

 free portion of the tail ; each dorsal and anal ray is accompanied by 

 a single series of very small scales ; the thirty-ninth of the dorsal fin 

 is the longest, two-thirds as long as the head. The length of the 

 pectoral is more than one-half of that of the head. A spine before 

 the anal. Brownish, sometimes with yellowish spots. 



From the coasts of France along all the coasts of northern Europe. 

 Iceland. 



a. Adult : skin. Frith of Forth. From Dr. ParncU's Collection. 



b. Adult : stuflTed. Plymouth. Presented by Lieut. H. F. Spence, 



R.N. 

 The following specimens differ in having a more elongate body, 

 and consequently in a somewhat lower curvature of the lateral line. 

 The greatest depth of the body is only two-fifths of the total length 

 (without caudal). This is Pleuronectes no. 249 of Gronow's Zoo- 

 phylacium, or PI. linguatula, Gronov. Syst. ed. Gray, p. 88 ; or La 



