466 PISCES (OSSEI) MALACOPT. [PLEURONECTES. 



Whiff, but not so much elevated : dorsal and anal as in that species ; 

 before the anal a strong, sharp, triangular, spine or lamina, directed 

 downwards and backwards : caudal rounded : pectorals unequal ; that on 

 the upper side about three-fourths the length of the head : ventrals con- 

 sisting of a double row of rays ; that on the upper side more advanced 

 than the other : the rays of all the fins slender and bristly ; the connect- 

 ing membranes very delicate, and easily broken : 



D. 85 ; A. 66 ; C. 17 ; P. 10 ; V. 6. 



(Colour.) " Upper side pale brown, or dirty white." HANMER. 



Apparently not common in the British seas. Hitherto noticed only by 

 Mr. Hanmer, who states that it occurs at Plymouth, though very rarely. 

 The Museum of the Cambridge Philosophical Society possesses speci- 

 mens from Weymouth, where it is called Megrim*. The name of Scald- 

 Fish has arisen from the peculiarly smooth naked appearance of the 

 sides, when divested of the scales, which adhere so slightly as to yield to 

 the slightest friction. Inhabits the Mediterranean, along with one or two 

 other closely allied species. 



(28.) P. Cyclops, Don. Brit. Fish. vol. iv. pi. 90. Platessa Cyclops, 

 Flem. Brit. An. p. 199. 



Eyes on the left side : left eye subvertical, and visible on both sides. 

 Body very broad, smooth ; marked with dusky spots, surrounded by a 

 whitish ring : head elongated : lateral line much curved above the pectoral 

 fin : scales inconspicuous : dorsal commencing behind the eye : middle 

 rays of both dorsal and anal longest : caudal rounded : 



D. 66; A. 52; C. 16; P. 11; V. 7. 



Length, one inch and three-eighths. DON. 



An obscure and doubtful species. Sent to Donovan by Captain Mer- 

 rick, of Aberfraw, in Anglesea, North Wales, who obtained it on that 

 coast. Probably the fry of some other species. The backward commence- 

 ment of the dorsal fin associates it with the last genus ; but the sinistral 

 position of the eyes with this. 



GEN. 57. SOLEA, Cuv. 



(1. SOLEA, Cuv.) 



154. S. vulgaris, Flem. (Common Sole.) Greatest 

 breadth not half the' length : upper side of the body dark 

 brown ; the pectoral tipped with black. 



S. vulgaris, Flem. Brit. An. p. 197. Pleuronectes Solea, Linn. 

 Syst. Nat. torn. i. p. 457. Block, Ichth. pi. 45. Don. Brit. Fish. 

 vol. in. pi. 62. Turt. Brit. Faun. p. 96. Buglossus, seu Solea, 

 Will. Hist. Pise. p. 100. tab. F. 7. Sole, Penn. Brit. Zool. vol. in. 

 p. 231. Id. (Edit. 1812.) p. 311. 



LENGTH. From twelve to eighteen inches; sometimes two feet, or 

 more. 



DESCRIPT. (Form.) Oblong-oval; very much rounded anteriorly; body 

 narrowing behind : dorsal line carried on in one continuous curve to the 



* According to Mr. Hanmer, the name of Megrim is sometimes given to the last species. 

 Several other instances might be pointed out, in which the same English name is applied, on 

 different parts of the coast, to two or more totally distinct species. 



