THE FLAT-FISHES. '79 



the presence of several comparatively-large canine teeth 

 near the front of jaw (while in the latter the teeth are 

 fairly-uniform in each jaw, being but slightly enlarged at 

 the front of the upper jaw), also, (2) the slightly increased 

 number of dorsal and anal rays, as compared with the 

 Small-toothed Flounder, and the presence upon the lower 

 jaw of a pronounced knob, with usually a slight notch 

 beside it ; the projection when occurring at all in the other 

 kind, being not at all prominent. 



The Small-toothed Flounder, often known as the 

 "Spotted Flounder," has not, as far as we at present know, 

 a great distribution; being only known from the coast of 

 New South Wales, on parts of which it is very abundant. 

 It usually frequents sandy bottoms, from a few fathoms in 

 depth up to the shallowest water, being at times quite abun- 

 dant upon the shallow grass-covered flats at low water. 

 Here they lie apparently without fear, relying upon their 

 protective resemblance to their surroundings to enable them 

 to escape observation. Thus a person may often take a boat 

 and glide slowly over the flats where these fishes are lying, 

 capturing them with a spear or even in very shallow water 

 by leaning over and impaling them on a knife. The 

 greatest difficulty, however, is not to catch them, but, first 

 to distinguish your prey from its surroundings. 



This species grows to a length of over 16 inches, 

 though those brought to market would probably average not 

 more than 10 inches. 



In colour this fish is of a rich brown or greyish on 

 the upper surface, with numerous small, round, white spots 

 scattered about it. There are some dark spots along the 

 lateral line (the middle ones being the most conspicuous), 

 each spot being closely dotted with yellow or white. In 

 addition there are fine, dark marblings over the whole of 

 the side and the fins. 



Both this and the preceding species are carnivorous 

 fishes subsisting upon such organisms as are usually foun-i 

 in sandy localities small fishes, crustaceans and mollusks. 



