316 EEPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES [92] 



and Sloane in Jamaica, a region in wliich the present species does not 

 occur. 



The specific name next in date to lineatus is that of Achirus fasciatus 

 Lac6pede. Lacepede quotes in his synouyiny only the Plcuronectes 

 achirus of the teuth edition of the Systema, which is a species from 

 Surinam. His description of Achirus fasciatus is however wholly taken 

 from the account given by Liunreus of the fish sent by Garden. It 

 therefore belongs to the present species, for which fasciatus seems to 

 be the oldest tenable name. 



The Plcuronectes apoda of Mitchill seems to be this species, as Mitchill 

 expressly states that it has no pectoral fins. DeKay, however, speaks 

 of it as a species of Monochirus. If DeKay examined Mitchill's speci- 

 men we may infer that the latter belonged to A. lincatus rather than 

 to A. fasciatus. 



This species has not yet been recorded from the West Indies. The 

 form found along the Gulf coast has been described as a distinct species 

 under the name of Solea broivni. The differences are not very evident. 

 We have compared a number of specimens from Boston (fasciatus) with 

 others from Pensacola, and find the following differences, none of 

 which are constant: In the Gulf variety (browni) the blind side is 

 always immaculate, while in almost all Atlantic examples (fasciatus) 

 the blind side is profusely covered with round dark spots. In one 

 specimen, however (11360, Boston), the blind side is immaculate. The 

 darker cross-streaks on the eyed side are usually broader and more 

 numerous in southern specimens, and the scales on the blind side of the 

 head rougher. There are no constant differences either in the fin-rays 

 or in the scales. 



We have examined specimens of this species from Boston, Chester- 

 town, Tarrytown, New York, Port Monmouth, Havre de Grace, Poto- 

 mac Eiver, Neuse Kiver, Beaufort, Charleston, Pensacola, Mobile, and 

 Galveston. In one large specimen from Pensacola (11482 M. C. Z.) 

 there is a rudiment of a pectoral fin on the eyed side. It consists of a 

 single ray two-thirds as long as the eye. 



117. ACHIRUS PANAMENSIS. 



Solea panamensis Steindacliner, Ichthyol. Beitriige, v, 10, 1876, Taf. ii (Panama). 



Habitat. — Pacific coast of tropical America, Panama. 



Our knowledge of this species is derived from the description and 

 excellent figure of Dr. Steindachner. The species is evidently very 

 closely related to Achirus fasciatus, which it closely resembles in form 

 and color. 



118. ACHIRUS JENYNSI. 



Achirus lincatus Jenyns, Voyage Beagle, Fishes, 1842, 139 (Rio tie la Plata) (not P, 



lineatus L. ). 

 Solea jenynsi Giintber, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., iv, 476, 1862 (after Jenyns). 



Habitat. — lieaiou about Eio de la Plata. 



