296 NEW-YORK FAUNA. 



This is the most common species in our waters, and is often called the Winter Flounder. 

 It is subject to great varieties in color. Dr. Mitchill mentions having seen a specimen with 

 the upper surface entirely vphite, and another with a yellow margin on the lower side. In 

 April, I obtained an individual of this species, which presented the remarkable peculiarity of 

 being not only reversed but doubled (see pi. 49, fig. 158). Its color on both sides was uni- 

 form bronze, with a white patch on its right side near the chin, almost entirely denuded of 

 scales ; it had the singular protuberance over the eye, noticed by Dr. Mitchill in his melano- 

 gaster. 



It is a highly prized fish. It occm-s on the coast of Massachusetts, but I am unacquainted 

 with any other particulars respecting its geographical distribution. 



THE PIGMY FLAT-FISH. 



Platessa Pcsilla. 

 PLATE XLVH. FIG. 153. — (STATE COLLECTION.) 



Characteristics. Small. Uniform olive brown. No anal spine. Length five to eight inches. 



Description. Form rather more elongated than the preceding ; depth of body alone to its 

 length as 2*0 to 4 "6. Scales moderate, elongate ; the exposed surface small, with its mar- 

 gin rounded and ciliate ; the covered surface striate. The scales cover the body and entire 

 head, except the lower part of the cheeks, and extend high up on the caudal fin. Lateral 

 line prominent, not concurrent with the dorsal outline, slightly curved above the pectorals, and 

 then proceeding in a slight furrow straight through the tail. Orbits oblong, contiguous ; with 

 the interval between them scaly, not elevated. Nostrils united, with a single valvular opening 

 before the eyes. Mouth protractile ; lips fleshy ; lower jaw longest, and both with series of 

 minute conic teeth. A small patch of scarcely visible teeth on the vomer and pharyngeals. 



The dorsal fin somewhat higher than the anal, commencing above the eye, and ending a 

 short distance anterior to the termination of the anal ; somewhat higher on its posterior third. 

 Pectorals pointed, their base distant 1 • 1 from the end of the snout. Ventrals • 4 long, of 

 six rays, and anterior to the pectorals. The anal fin commences opposite to the seventeenth 

 dorsal ray. Caudal rounded. 



Color. Above nearly uniform olive brown, with indistinct darker blotches toward the dorsal 

 and anal fins ; beneath bluish white. Fins tinged with rufous. Pupils black, surrounded by 

 a golden ring. 



Length, 5*0. Depth of the body, 1-8. 



Fin rays, D. 67-69; P. 11; V. 6; A. 50; C. 15 |. 



This small flat-fish is taken in the shallow bays about New- York, in September. It is little 

 valued as an article of food, as is known in the markets under the name of Sand Flounder. 

 It is closely allied to the preceding, and especially to the brown variety. 



