238 SALT-WATER FISHES 



than Yjj in., and which differs from that of the sole in its 

 lighter colouring. 



The Solenette {S. lutea), or Little Sole, is the smallest of 

 the family, not being known of greater length than 5 or 6 in. 

 The pectoral fins are even more rudimentary than in the 

 last species. The scales, proportionately larger than in the 

 common sole, extend to the fin-rays. These rays are fewer 

 than in the sole and are marked by black lines. The colour- 

 ing of the solenette, apart from this, is a slate-grey, with 

 spots on the upper side. The left side is white. 



This very small flat-fish has a wide range, being known 

 to the north of Scotland as well as from the Mediterranean. 

 It is common at various stages on the coast of Devon, and 

 is sometimes taken, along with the young of other flat-fishes, 

 which closely approximate its adult stage in size, in the 

 small sand-eel seines. Herdman and Dawson* describe it 

 as exceedingly abundant in the Irish Sea, wherein it differs 

 from both the French sole and thickback. The females 

 are both larger and more numerous than the males, and 

 become mature at 3^ in., the male at 3 in. 



The egg has a diameter of about yf^ in., and, as described 

 by Holt and others, has several oil-globules. The larva, 

 which measures about -^ in., is as hardy and restless as that 

 of the sole. By the time the fish is ^ in., the left eye has 

 worked over to the right, its passage indicated by a slight 

 notch before the dorsal. It is considered to attain maturity 

 at the end of its second year, or a length of 3I in. 



The foregoing are the principal flat-fish of our coasts, 

 and, having now summarised their appearance and habits, we 

 are better able to appreciate some peculiarities of the group. 

 They are singularly lacking in bright colours. The cod 

 family, though generally characterised by dull hues, are far 

 more richly tinted, and have not the entire lack of silver or 

 * Fishes and Fisheries of the Irish Sea, p. 56. 



