340 SUB-BEACHIAL SOFT-FINNED FISHES. 



of this family are remarkable for the number of their 

 fins : thus it will be seen on referring to our engraving 

 (Fig. 271), that the Cocl has no fewer than ten, three 

 dorsals, two pectorals, two ventrals, two anals, and 

 the caudal. In some species, however, the dorsals are 

 united mto a single lengthened fin, as also are the 

 anals. Most of tliem have short fleshy beards or 

 tentacles depending from the lower jaw. The fishery 

 for Cod is the most valuable in the world — the 

 pursuit, the curing, and the transport affording em- 

 ployment to thousands of hardy industrious people, 

 and whole fleets of ships. The value of the fish 

 taken by British subjects, on the coast of Newfound- 

 land alone, is not less than 500,000/. annually. They 

 are caught with a hook and line. 



The Pleuronectidoe* or Fiat-fishes, have the body 

 compressed laterally, and very much elevated verti- 



FlG. 272.— UPPER SIDE OF THE SOLE. 



cally ; but what especially distinguishes them is a 

 want of symmetry in the construction of the head, 

 a cliaracter which is not observed in any other verte- 

 brate animal. Both eyes are placed on the side 

 that is uppermost, which is deeply coloured, while 



* TrXivp6v, pleuron, the side ; v^ktvs, nektes, a swimmer, so called 

 from their swimming on one side. 



