176 



Descriptive Zoology. 



an eye on each side, and erect like other fishes ; gradually 

 the body turns over to one side, the cranium becomes 

 twisted, and the eye of the side that turns down travels 

 over to the upper side ; the upper side becomes dark, while 

 the under side is white or nearly so, whereas in the young 

 flounder both sides were colored alike. The sole and the 

 plaice belong to this family. The most important member, 



FIG. in. WINTER FLOUNDER. 



From Kingsley's Zoology. 



however, is the halibut, which sometimes reaches a weight 

 of three or four hundred pounds. 



Eels. The eels have elongated, cylindrical bodies, with 

 minute scales or none. They have no ventral fins, and 

 swim or crawl through the mud by a snakelike motion. 

 They are active and very voracious, pushing their way under 

 stones and into holes after small fishes and crustaceans, on 

 which they feed. It is said that they can crawl a consider- 

 able distance on land, through wet grass, and that they 

 pass around falls and other obstructions in this way. 



Flying Fish. Certain marine fishes are called " flying 

 fishes." They do not really fly, but, by means of their long 

 pectoral fins, make long flying leaps through the air. They 





