4 o 



one side, whilst the latter kind sometimes has the portion of the head with the eyes on one 

 side and sometimes on the other, reversing what would be the general upper side into the 

 under one, and if you have observed this, can you account for it ? I cannot. 



Now why should flat fishes not swim in the same position as other fishes do? They however 

 swim, as well as rest, on their sides ; the side they rest on being white, the upper side being 

 dark. The upper side is dark evidently for their protection, as when at rest, and when the 

 fish works itself into the sand or mud, it is indistinguishable from it. When on the mud flats, 

 left bare at low water, I have often observed the resting places of these fishes, when the tide 

 had ebbed quietly. These kinds of fishes seem to be often brought in great distances by the 

 flood tide, and carried out again by the ebb tide. Taking this into consideration, one wonders 

 that fishes are not oftener left in pools than they are, and I have often wondered how it is 

 river fishes are so seldom left when floods subside I have rather got away from the flat fish 

 I was going to remark about their eyes, which somewhat resemble those of some of the crabs 

 and lobsters, as the fishes appear to be able to extend them at pleasure ; but about their 

 position which is most singular of course an eye would be of little use if on the under side, 

 and so near the ground as they usually swim, and would be entirely in the way when the fish 

 was at rest and partly happed up. The fish usually swims so near the bottom it has little to 

 fear from enemies beneath it, and, apparently for its greater protection from enemies above, 

 both of its eyes are placed on the upper side. I have seen flat fishes swim almost up to the 

 surface sometimes, following a bait, but they get down again as quickly as possible evidently 

 understanding it to be their proper position. 



