290 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. [66] 



80. PSEUDOPLEURONECTES PINNIFASCIATUS. 



Pleuronectes pinnifasciatus (Kner) Steindachuer, Ueber eiuige Pleuroncctiden, etc., aus 

 Decastris Bay, 1870, 2, pi. 1, f. 1 (Decastris Bay). 



Habitat. — Sea of Katntsckatka, Decastris Bay. 



This species is known to us only from Dr. Steindackner's description 

 and excellent figure. Prom this we conclude that it belongs to the 

 group called Pseudopleuroneetes, although its pharyngeals have not 

 been described. It seems to us nearer to P. americanus than to Liop- 

 setta glacialis. 



Genus XXXIV.— PLATESSA. • 



Pleuronectes Artedi, Genera, etc., in part. 



Pleuronectes Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. x, 2G8, 1758 (includes all known Pleuroneo- 

 tidce). 



Platessa Cuvier, Regne Animal, ii, 1817 (platessa), (first subdivision of Pleuronectes 

 L.). 



Platessa Fleming, Brit. Auim., 1828, 198 (vulgaris— platessa ;, (first restriction of 

 Pleuronectes L. to PL maximus and relatives). 



Pleuronectes Swainson, Nat. Hist. Class'n Anim., ii, 1839 (platessa), (second re- 

 striction of Pleuronectes). 



Platessa DeKay, New York Fauna, Fishes, 1842 (platessa). 



Pleuronectes Bleeker, Comptes Rendus Acad. Amsterd., xiii, 1862 (platessa), (and 

 of most recent authors). 



Flesus Moreau, Poissons de France, 1881, 299(flesus). 



Type: Pleuronectes platessa Linnaeus. 



The reasons for retaining for this germs the name Platessa instead 

 of Pleuronectes have been given under the head of the latter genus. 



It is possible that the numerous related groups or genera, Pseudopleu- 

 ronectes, Platichthys, and Liopsetta, should not be separated from Pla- 

 tessa. Convenience in definition of the groups seems, however, best 

 served by regarding each of these types as forming a- distinct genus, 

 though whether they are called genera or subgenera is a matter of 

 minor importance. The group Flesus is fairly well defined, and may, 

 perhaps, also merit generic rank. 



ANALYSIS OF SPECIES OF PLATESSA. 



a. Teeth incisor-like, compressed, close set, forming a continuous cutting edge; no 

 stellate scales at bases of dorsal and anal rays: lower pharyngeals narrow, 

 the teeth almost uniserial. (Plaiessa.) 



b. Snout projecting, forming a distinct angle above eye Platessa, 81. 



x. Scales all cycloid, no ciliated scales anywhere ; a series of about six small, 

 bony tubercles on ridge above opercles ; a small tubercle behind upper 

 eye, and one before lower ; interorbital space narrow, smooth. Head, 3£ ; 

 depth, 2. D. 67 to 77. A. 50 to 57. Vertebras, 14 + 29 = 43. Color, 

 brownish or dusky, with rather large, round yellowish spots, which fade in 

 spirits. (These spots rarely black, and persistent.).. -Var. platessa, 81 (a). 



