174 THE SOLENETTE. 



I received a pair of these soles in February, 1867, 

 measuring respectively thirteen and fourteen inches. 

 Mr. Thomas tells me that the skipper of his trawler, the 

 Hurricmie, often catches them in the North Sea, but 

 they are not often sent to market. 



VABiEGATED SOLE [Plew'onectes variegatus). 



This variety very much resembles the common sole, 

 but is distinguished by the small size of the pectoral 

 fins. It is a small fish, scarcely attaining half a foot 

 in length ; one bought in Plymouth market measured 

 9in. in length. But little is known of the habits of this 

 species ; it appears about Plymouth in the spring. The 

 colour of the surface is a very light brown, tinged with 

 red, clouded with darker shades ; the scales large and 

 rough to the touch. It is a rare species, but I have a 

 specimen. 



The Solenette, or Little Sole (Solea parva^ Solea 

 lingula), seldom exceeds the length of 5in. It is taken 

 in the trawl nets on the Devonshire coast, where it is 

 called the red sole ; but on account of its diminutive 

 size is seldom brought on shore. It has been con- 

 founded with the variegated ; but may at once be dis- 

 tinguished by the tapering of the body towards the tail, 

 and more particularly by the union of the dorsal and 



