EDIBLE riSHES OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 159 



The various members of the genus SoJea differ greatly in the development 

 of the pectoral fin, and the genus has been in consequence subdivided as 



follows : — 



A. Pectorals well developed, Microhuglossus. 



a. Nostrils on the blind side not dilated, Solea. 



h. One of the nostrils on the blind side dilated and broadly fringed, 

 Peg us a. 



B. Pectorals on both sides rudimentary or small, Buglossus. 



C. Pectorals absent, Aseraggodes. 



It is to the last of these sections that our species belongs. 



On this subject Giinther writes : — "Although the extreme forms of this 

 genus show differences of apparently sufficient importance for generic dis- 

 tinction, the intermediate species are so numerous, and form so gradual a 

 transition from the true Soles witli the pectorals fully developed to the 

 Achiri proper, that we prefer to consider them as one genus." 



SOLEA MACLEATAXA. 



Solea inacleayana, Eamsay, Prcc. Linn. Soc. N. S. "Wales, v. p. 462, 1881. 



Narrow-banded Sole. 



D. 61. A. 49. Y. 5. C. 18. L. lat. 102. L. tr. 36/46. & Vert. 9/27. 



Length of head 625, height of body 2"75 in the total length. Eyes small, 

 the upper one half of its diameter in advance of the lowex', which is situated 

 above the angle of the mouth, and whose diameter is2"50 in that of the snout, 

 the length of which is one fourth of that of the head: interorbital space broad 

 and slightly convex, about one tenth more than the diameter of the eye. Cleft 

 of mouth crescentic. Lips naked. Dextral nostrils rising from the margin of 

 the upper lip, the anterior one with a thick lip, the posterior opening from a 

 tube whose length is fully two thirds of the diameter of the eye ; they are 

 situated close together, and a little nearer to the eye than to the end of the 

 snout; sinistral nostril tubular. A few short filaments on the chin. Both jaws 

 on the blind side with a band of minute teeth. The dorsal fin commences in 

 front of the upper eye : two ventral fins, the right connected with the anal, the 

 left free : the anal commences beneath the posterior margin of the gill- 

 covers : caudal rounded, its length rather less than that of the head ; the 

 distance between the posterior dorsal, and anal rays three tenths of the height 

 of the body. Head and body scaly, each scale strongly ctenid, bearing on 

 both sides from six to eight strong, sharp, spinate points. Lateral line 

 slightly arched behind the head. 



Colors. — Eight side rich purplish-brown, with numerous narrow lighter 

 bands, which frequently branch and connect with the neighboring bands, 

 and are extended on to the margins of the fins ; left side white. 



This Sole, which, for reasons previously given, does not appear in our 

 market as regularly as its abundance warrants, is an excellent fish for the 

 table, much preferable in our opinion to the next species. They are, 

 however, occasionally found in considerable numbers, especially during the 

 spring months, when they come in apparently from the open sea in shoals, all 

 being of large size and about the same length ; these school fish are 

 very thick and firm, and of delicious flavor, but are without rudiments of 

 spawn. Small examples measuring less than three inches are not infrequently 

 taken in the harbor by trawl and dredge. 



