The Rising Generation 23 



like in form and as clear as glass, not 

 developing pigment until they are ready 

 to enter European waters three years 

 later. Apart from their small heads at 

 birth they are not unlike young flat fish 

 in general form. Yet the flat fish in 

 maturity offers an even more amazing 

 contrast to its infant shape than does 

 the eel. On escaping from the egg a 

 plaice or turbot has one eye on either 

 side of its head, and swims in the 

 conventional fish manner with the dor- 

 sal fin directed upwards. As it begins 

 to grow, however, a curious twisting 

 of the cranial bones takes place, causing 

 one eye to slowly creep round the 

 head until it lies close to its fellow on 

 the opposite side. At the same time 

 it loses its swimming powers and sinks 

 to the botton. To maintain the normal 

 attitude would result in the little flat 

 fish enjoying a very one-sided view of 

 life. To obviate this the fish tilts 



