64 



2L1I. J 



HIPPOGLOSSUS, Cuv. 

 JS, americanus. 



The Halibut. 



Body flat, elongated. The length of the bead equal to one- 

 fourth the length of the enth-e fish. Ejes large, oblong ; 

 their longest diameter equal to the distance between them. 

 Lips large and fleshy ; lower jaw longest. The jaws are fur- 

 nished with two rows of strong, sharp teeth, the inner of 

 which is larger and incurved. Nostrils double ; the anterior 

 is tubular, the posterior the larger. The lateral line com- 

 mences at the posterior angle of the operculum, and. making 

 a high curve above the pectorals, assumes just back of their 

 posterior extremity a straight line, which is continued to the 

 rays of the caudal fin. The dorsal fin arises over the anterior 

 third of the eye, and terminates at the fleshy portion of the 

 caudal fin. The highest rays of tbis fin are six times the 

 height of those above the base of the pectorals. The pecto- 

 rals arise just back of the posterior angle of the operculum. 

 Ventrals small, and situated beneath the base of the pecto- 

 rals ; third ray longest. The anal fin arises beneath the pos- 

 terior half of the pectorals, and terminates opposite the 

 dorsal fin. Entire right side almost uniform dark brown ; 

 left side pure white. The fish grows to a very great size ; 

 specimens weighing nearly 500 pounds have frequently been 

 taken. 



Fin-rays :— D. 99-100 ; P. 10-17 ; Y. G ; A. 73-74 ; C. 17-18. 



Plcuronedes hipjjoglossns, L. Syst. Nat. p. 456 ; Mitch. Trans. 

 Lit. & Phil. Soc. of N. Y., I. p. 386. 



Jlippoglossus vvlgaris, Delvay, N. Y. Fauna. Fish, p. 294, pi. 

 49, fig. 157. 



This fish is occasionally found in the ocean, near the coast 

 of "Worcester county. 



