SOUTHERN COAST FISHES. 



SOLEID^. 



American Sole ; calico ; hog choker ; coverlip ; spotted sole. — Achirus lineatus. 

 (Linn.) Cuvier. 



Head, body and fins greenish brown, with numerous black 

 blotches. There are two patterns of markings on this fish, one 

 with zigzag bands, and the other spotted. Very abundant in the 

 lower Potomac and its tributaries. 



PLEURONECTID^. 



Flounder ; flatfish ; sole. 



Many varieties of flounders are found in Northern waters which 

 are not known south of Cape Hatteras, and vice versa. The 

 most common Southern varieties, found from New Jersey to Hat- 

 teras, are the Lophopsetta viaciilata, called spotted turbot, win- 

 dow-pane, and sand flounder ; length, twelve to eighteen inches. 

 Citharichthys microstomns ; the Pomatopsetta dentata, or sum- 

 mer flounder ; and ChcEnopsetta ocellaris, or common flounder, 

 length twelve to eighteen inches. From Hatteras to Florida there 

 are Chcenopsetta dentata, or southern flounder, and C. oblonga, or 

 four-spotted flounder, which grows to two feet in length. All take 

 bait at the bottom, and are excellent food fish. Color greenish 

 brown, brown, and olive brown. 



LABRIDyE. 



Black Fish ; tautog. — Tatitoga onitis. — Giinther. 



Color deep black, or bluish black. Length six to eighteen 

 inches. Feeds on mud crabs or fiddlers and shell fish. Found in 

 Chesapeake Bay. 



