la.ATFlSHf^S (HHTI-:HOS()M.\IA>i 



Yarrcll Co)l. 

 I.ond<.n M.irket. H.irrod's Stores. 



Comparison of one of the types of Z. papillosus with an e.xample of Z. punctatus 

 of similar size leaves httle doubt that the two are identical, pnpillosus being at the 

 most a local variety. 



Family 3. PLEURONECTID.E. 



Eyes on the right side, except m reversed examples in certain species : optic 

 chiasma monomorphic, the nerve of the left eye always donsal. Dorsal fin extending 

 forward on the head at least to above the eye ; all the fin-rays articulated. Each 

 pelvic fin of from 3 to 13 rays. Mouth usually terminal, with the lower jaw more or 

 less prominent ; maxillary without a supplemental bone ; palatines toothless. Lower 

 edge of urohyal deeply emarginate, so that the bone appears forked. I'ra^operculum 

 with free margin. Nasal organ of blind side usually near edge of head, but some- 

 times nearly opposite that of ocular side, \'ertebrap never fewer than 30. On each 

 side a single post-cleithrum. Ribs present. Egg without an oil-globule in the yolk. 



Five subfamilies may be recognised . 



SVNOI'SIS OF THE SUBFAMILIES. 



1 Pelvic fins generally short-based, symmetrical, or that of ocular side median 



and somewhat advanced, the fins supported by the pelvic bones behind 



or below the cleithra ; pectoral radials present. 



.\. Origin of dorsal fin above the eyes, behind nasal organ of blind side . 



praecaudal parapophyses separate, divergent , hypocoracoids narrowed 



forward below. 



I. Lateral line well developed on both sides of body ; olfactory laminae 



(except m .-l/AcresWies) parallel, without rachis . i. Pleuronectin'.i-:. 

 2- I^ateral line rudimentary and scarcely apparent on blind side of body ; 

 olfactory laminae radiating from a short central rachis 



2. FdCILOPSETTIN.i;. 



B. Origin of dorsal fin in front of the eyes, the fin extending forward on snout 

 either above or below nasal organ of blind side. 



1 . Dorsal fin extending forward on snout above nasal organ of blind side : 



last 5 praecaudal vertebra" with parapophyses, of which the last 

 pair are connected by a bridge ; hypocoracoids narrowed forward 

 below ; olfactory lamina? arranged transversely to or radiating 

 from a central rachis ; lateral line well developed on both sides of 

 body . . . . . . . .3. Paralichthodin.i;. 



2. Dorsal fin extending forward on snout below na.sal organ of blind 



side ; parapophyses of pra?caudal vertebrre united to form closed 

 ha;mal arches, bearing the slender ribs at their e.xtremities ; 

 hypocoracoids expanded ; olfactory laminae parallel, without 

 rachis ; lateral line rudimentary ;ind scarcely apparent on blind 

 side ......... 4 Samarin^. 



