256 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [32] 
bot the type of Pleuronectes by adopting the then nearly obsolete name of 
Pleuronectes in place of Rhombus. 1n1846 Bonaparte retained the name 
Pleuronectes for a group composed of Citharus, Arnoglossus, &c.- The 
only Linnean species mentioned by him, linguatula, may be regarded 
as his type. 
In 1862 Bleeker, and following him Giinther and nearly all modern 
authors, have regarded Pleuronectes platessa as the type of Plewronectes. 
The reason for this view lies apparently in the fact that Artedi before 
Linnzeus had mentioned the species later called platessa first in his list 
of species of Plewronectes. This reason is now regarded as an insuffi- 
cient one, andthe name Plewronectes must retain the signification given 
it by the first author, who has properly restricted it. We must there- 
fore follow Fleming* in regarding Pleuronectes maximus as the proper 
“yve of Pleuronectes. 
ANALYSIS OF THE SPECIES OF PLEURONECTES. 
4. Scales wanting or rudimentary, the blind side nearly or quite naked; eyed side 
covered with scattered bony tubercles or warts. Vertebra, 31. (Pleuronectes. ) 
», Body broadly ovate, thick, and opaque, the depth about 1} in the length ; head 3 
in length, its tubercles much smaller than those on the body; interorbital 
space flattish, about as wide as eye; anal spine inconspicuous; nune of the 
dorsal rays exserted; gill-rakers rather strong, not as long as eye, about 54-13 
in number ; lower pharyngeals small, narrow,each with aband of small pointed 
teeth. D, 62 to 69; A, 45 ta 50; vertebrae 12+-19= 31. Color, grayish or 
brownish, usually sprinkled with small dark spots......-....--- MAXIMUS, 28. 
2, SCHICS ODSOLCLE. conc a2 ccr sce ec see min vem aa= semen aacieme var. maximus, 28, (a). 
CEM SoplLR Tene ITs WIPRO T Sa eR oeses Bo ssosiddes s45oG6Gc0ssq55500 var. me@oticus, 28, (b). 
aa. Scales cycloid, imbricate, well developed on both sides of the body; no bony 
tubercles. Vertebra 36. (Bothus.) 
c. Anterior rays of dorsal little exserted, the longest about 4 in head; body ellip- 
tical ovate, nearly opaque ; scales very small; blind side well scaled; no bony 
tubercles; interobital space flattish, nearly as wide as eye; gill-rakers mod- 
erate, 4+12 in number; lower pharyngeals small, narrow, each with a band 
of pointed teeth. Head 3inlength; depth1. D. 72 to 83; A. 53 to 61;Lat. 
1. about 130. Vertebrie 12+24=—36. Grayish brown, with darker spots and 
MOTHNYGS .... = serene ens vor weecwe penn anne ewe ses ose ammeiee eons RHOMBUS, 29. 
cc. Anterior rays of dorsal much exserted, free for more than half their length, 
their length nearly half head; body broadly ovate, subtranslucent; interor- 
bital space flattish; gill-rakers long and slender, about 8+22; blind side of 
body well scaled ; no bony tubercles ; head 3}; depth 13. D. 65; A.52; Lat. 
1. about 120. Vertebra 11-4-25=36. Color light olive grayish, everywhere on 
the left side closely spotted with paler and with blackish, the dark spots of 
VATIOUSSIZOSs cpis' piay ocete oe ly Seen rien ete e/a mnie on = wniedeine = mate MACULATUS, 30, 


*I’leming’s definition is as follows: 
‘Gen. XLVI. PLEURONECTES, TURBOT.—Mouth entire ; teeth numerous, slender: 
lateral line curved. Eyes on the left side.” .Tbe species mentioned by him are.; 
P. maximus—Common Turbot. 
P. rhombus—Brill. 
P. megastoma—W hiff. ; 
P. punctatus—Top-knot. 
P. arnoglossus—Scald-tsh. 
—— 
