SHORE FISHES. 275 



these may be the little Topknot (Rhombus punctatus) of our 

 figure, and the Flounder (Pleuronectes flesus}. 



It is a common error to refer to the coloured upper surface 

 of all flat-fishes as the back ; but they are not ^pressed, they 

 are compressed, as the position of the fins and gills should 

 teach us. When quite young their eyes were situated one on 



LESSER LAUNCE OR SAND-EEL. 



each side of the dorsal line, but from their habit of resting 

 always on one side at the bottom of the sea, the eye that is 

 below gradually comes to the other side, so that in the adult 

 flat-fish the pair are close together. The Skates and Rays, on 

 the other hand, have been flattened from above ; the mouth is 



