212 PLEURONECTES: 



color, it is conjectured, than from its supposed re- 

 semblance to a garter. It is twelve inches long. 



FAMILY II. PLEURONECTES. 



No family of aquatic beings is characterized by 

 so many strange circumstances. The eyes are 

 both on one side, but so arranged as to look up- 

 ward at an angle of about eighty degrees. The 

 side on which the eyes are fixed is always colored, 

 but the opposite one is quite light or whitish. In 

 fact, their anatomy demonstrates the greatest want 

 of symmetry. Writers remark, among other things, 

 that the two sides of the mouth are unequal, and 

 it is very rare to find the pectoral fins resembling 

 each other. In the branchial membrane are five 

 rays ; the body seems to be compressed, as though 

 pressed between two stones ; the dorsal fin en- 

 circles the fish like a ribbon, so that the back is on 

 one side ! The venter, or inside cavity, is quite 

 small, but prolonged into a canal in the side of the 

 tail : there is no air-bladder ; and the skull is the 

 oddest of all crania, in consequence of the arrange- 

 ment for accommodating both eyes on one side. 



Notwithstanding the confused manner in which 

 the skeleton is apparently put together, distorted 

 and twisted into the queerest form, there is only 





