16 



that the females reach the larger size, nor any constant differences depending on size, 

 although it is possible that a slight increase in the number of rows of scales takes 

 place in individuals which grow very large. The largest individuals in the above 

 table have the largest number of rows of scales. The number of pelvic fin-rays is 

 constant, that of the pectoral rays, and of the caudal, nearly so. The number of 

 vertebrae varies very slightly. The range of the numbers of the dorsal and anal 

 fin-rays is considerable, in the above specimens 83 to 90, and 66 to 74, respectively 

 The range for the lateral line scales is greater, namely, 149 to 166. In all these cases 

 examination of a greater number of specimens would doubtless have extended the 

 range. 



Fins. The dorsal fin commences a little in front of the dorsal eye, but behind the 

 apex of the snout. The right pectoral is scarcely longer than the left and is contained 

 two and a half times in the length of the head. 



Eyes. Longitudinal diameter of eye one-sixth the length of the head ; scaled skin 

 between the eyes equal in breadth to the longitudinal diameter of the eye ; distance of 

 dorsal eye from edge of the snout equal to the longitudinal diameter of the eye. 

 Posterior edge of dorsal eye on a level with the middle of the ventral. 



Nostrils. On the right side both nostrils are close together immediately in front 

 of the ventral eye and close to the edge of the upper lip. Both are tubular, the 

 posterior a little the wider, the anterior the longer. On the left side the two nostrils 

 are also thin walled tubes, the anterior being prominent and larger, the posterior quite 

 obscure ; the latter is about half an inch (in adult) above and behind the former. 



Mouth. Extends backwards to beneath the middle of the ventral eye : the teeth 

 on the lower side are slender rods set close together in a broad curved patch in each 

 jaw. The villi on the under side of the snout are really connected at the base by 

 slight membranes which enclose depressions of the surface, but the latter are very 

 small and the villi are therefore closely crowded together. 



Scales. On the right side extend over the whole surface of the head up to its very 

 edges, on the lower side they decrease in size in the neighbourhood of the villi and 

 disappear where these are fully developed. The villous area is bounded posteriorly 

 by a straight transverse line running a short distance behind the angle of the mouth. 

 One of the largest scales from the middle region of the right side of the body (PI. XIV, 1) 

 has sixteen radiating rows of spines, five spines in each of the middle rows. 



The curved anterior portion of the lateral line is very distinct on the right side, 

 and can be traced running parallel to the edge of the body right to the apex of the 

 snout. On the lower side a similar curve exists, and in addition a line belonging to 

 the same system which runs straight forwards from the origin of the former above the 

 mouth, giving off transverse branches. 



Colour. The dead sole in the market generally appears to be of a uniform dull 

 dark brown on the upper side, but closer examination show r s that there are black 

 blotches as well on the brown ground. During life the colours are much brighter, 



