the Genus Monochirus. 405 



1 have had, could alone have settled this point, the describer 

 of it having been silent on such characters as the length of 

 the pectoral fins, and number of scales on the lateral Hne, by 

 which chiefly it is distinguished from the present species. 



This is, I consider, the Solea parva siveLingula described and 

 figured by Rondeletius, and again repeated in the works of 

 Gesner (lib. iv. p. 669.), Aldrovandus (p. 237.) and Willughby 

 (p. 102. pi. F. 8. f. 1.). With reference to this, the following 

 note on three specimens obtained since the publication of my 

 paper in the 'Annals ' may be here given. Of these, which are 

 from 3 to 3 1 inches in length, one has the outline of Solea vul- 

 garis ; but the other two differ much from it in being narrower, 

 and tapering more towards the tail, thus precisely resembling, 

 even to the turn of the caudal fin, the Solea parva sive Lingula 

 as represented by these authors : the lateral line too approx- 

 imates the form given in the figure of this species, but in the 

 specimens is placed rather higher on the body; in these it 

 originates considerably above the middle, and for some way 

 slopes gradually downwards, until it takes a course midway 

 between the dorsal and ventral profile *. A figure of this fish 

 illustrates Dr. ParnelPs paper before referred to in the first 

 volume of the ' Magazine of Zoology and Botany.^ 



The two localities in which this species has occurred in 

 England are southern : at Weymouth in Dorsetshire, whence 

 the single specimen was obtained that served for Mr. Jenyns's 

 description ; and at Brixham on the adjoining coast of De- 

 vonshire, where. Dr. Parnell informs us, it is taken in the 

 trawl-nets throughout the year. In Ireland it has been pro- 

 cured with the trawl or dredge both in the north and south j 

 in the month of August in the open sea off Dundrum, county 

 of Down ; in June and October within the entrance to Bel- 

 fast bay, and at Youghal in the county of Cork. (See Annals, 

 loc. cit.) Of its occurrence in Scotland I have not seen any 

 record. This is described to be a Mediterranean species. 



Spec. char. Mon. linguatulus. Upper pectoral fin about 



• These specimens may further be described as of a rediish-brown colour, 

 minutely freckled over with u darker shade, and having the roundish spots 

 of dark brown and of white on the lateral line and on the body some way in- 

 wards from the base of the dorsal and anal fins, as had the individuals ob- 

 tained in June last. See Annals, vol. ii. p. 21. 



