214 PLEURONECTES. 



ously are, for looking upward, rather than down- 

 ward, their food as well as the objects they are to 

 avoid, are to be sought for above. They bear a 

 strong resemblance to the flat fishes that swim on 

 one edge, as it were, but the flounder has not the 

 power of maintaining that position. Almost the 

 entire circumference of the body is fringed with a 

 stiff, prickly rayed fin, which, when expanded, 

 gives the flounder a waving, easy movement in the 

 water. It is quite rapid in its movements, but 

 prefers to remain on the surface of the mud, into 

 which it nestles for concealment, in case of fright. 

 Under favorable circumstances, they grow to a 

 great size. As an article of food they do not ap- 

 pear to be sufficiently prized. 



THE FLOUNDER. 



The flounder is generally known, and its 

 character well understood. The eyes are some- 

 times on the left side, but not often. It is one of 

 the most common fish in Massachusetts Bay, vary- 



