306 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [82] 
Monochirus Swainson, Nat. Hist, Class’n Fishes, ii, 1839, 303 (linguatula). 
Microchirus Bonaparte, Catalogo Metodico dei Pesci Europei, 1845~50 (after Swain- 
son: lingula). 
Buglossus Giinther, Cai. Fish. Brit. Mus., iv, 1862, 462 (variegata). 
Monochir Giinther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., iv, 1862, 462 (monochir). 
Quenselia Jordan, Subgenus noyum (ocellata). 
TypPE: Monochirus hispidus Rafinesque. 
This small group of European soles seems to be worthy of generic 
distinction from Solea, not so much from the reduction of the pectoral 
fins as on account of the reduced number of vertebre, which forms a 
step in the direction of the genus Achirus. 
The species are, however, much more nearly related to Solea than to 
Achirus. Three subgenerie groups are included under the head of Mon- 
ochirus as understood by us, and these might perhaps with no great 
impropriety be taken as distinct genera. We think it better, however, 
to place all together in one group, for which the name of Monochirus 
has‘priority. We have not seen the paper of Rafinesque in which this 
name is said to occur, but have taken our quotation from Bonaparte. 
For the second subgenus, the same name, Monochirus, was proposed 
by Cuvier, but this is antedated by Monochirus of Rafinesque. The name 
Microchirus given by Bonaparte to the same group has priority over 
Giinther’s name Buglossus. For the third group, we have suggested the 
new name Quenselia in honor of the Swedish naturalist who first sep- 
arated the soles generically from the flounders. 
ANALYSIS OF SPECIES OF MONOCHIRUS. 
a. Veriebree 37 to 40; scales normal, strongly ctenoid. 
b. Pectoral of both sides well developed, that of the eyed side not quite half head, 
that of blind side not quite a third; vertebra 37. (Quenselia Jordan.) 
c. Interorbital space very narrow, the eyelids thick, covered with rough scales; 
blind side of head with conspicuous fringes; scales sub-villous, the spin- 
ules conspicuous, though less so than in Monochirus hispidus; color dark 
gray, with some vague dusky blotches behind the gill opening; 4 round 
jet-black spots ocellated with white and about as large as eye disposed in 
a quadrangle behind the middle of the body; a black bar across base of 
caudal; fins dusky ; pectoral mostly blackish. Vertebre 9-+-28=37. Head 
4 in length; depth 24; D. 66 to 67. A.52 to 54. P.5-5. Lat. 1. 70 to 
1D ucaailinc sui neseatccs mee dbcepe saetamme te heap seme so tes en's tlie 
bb. Pectoral fin of blind side minute, that of eyed side small, not twice as long as 
eye. (Microchirus Bonaparte. ) 
d. Scales in the lateral line 55 to 60. Depth 94 in length ; head 44; color 
nearly uniform brownish, sometimes spotted with darker; a few dark spots 
on dorsal and anal fins, each involving part or all of the membrane of about 
every fourth ray ; pectoral rid black, its length not quite half more 
than that of eye.........- «\niainie <2 ns Senn ve» ons 
dd. Scales in the lateral line 5 t6 80. Ay; 63 to 73. . 53 to 57. P. 5-3. Verte- 
bre, 10 4-30 = 40. Depth 3 in length; head 4%; color brownish gray, 
with broad irregular dark cross-bands which are darkest on the dorsal and 
anal fins; pectoral partly dusky, its length not greater than that of eye. 
VARIEGATUS, 103. 
