41 



erto escaped description, probably on account of its considerable 

 external resemblance to Psettichthys melanostidus, Girard, from 

 which, however, it may be readily distinguished by the much larger 

 ej^es; the form of the dorsal fin, which increases toward the center 

 instead of commencing with rays higher than those immediately 

 succeeding them (as is the case in the latter species); by the narrower 

 interorbitial space; and, still more readily, by the color, which is 

 more uniform and lighter, the black points upon the scales, which are 

 conspicuous to the naked eye in Psettichthys melanostidus, not being 

 evident unless viewed with a lens. In large specimens the head has a 

 reddish tinge. The largest I have yet seen measured eighteen inches 

 in length. In common witli Psettichthys melanostictns this species 

 bears in the markets the name of "sole," and many of the fishmon- 

 gers, who readily distinguish from each other most of the species of 

 flat-fishes, do not appear to discriminate between these. So far as I 

 have been able to learn, it is taken outside the bay in the same local- 

 ities with Psettichthys melanostictus. In form of body, size, structure 

 of the mouth, scales, and lateral line, this species resembles the spe- 

 cies previously mentioned ; and the distinctions between them would, 

 in fact, be considered only of specific value were it not for the pres- 

 ence in PsettichtJiys melanostictus of an accessory lateral line along the 

 dorsal outline, a character which this species does not possess. A 

 technical description of this fish has been published in the Proceed- 

 ings United States National Museum, September, 1879, p. 73, and I 

 have taken the liberty to name it after the distinguished icththyolo- 

 gist. Professor D. S. Jordan, who has done more than any other Amer- 

 ican naturalist to increase our knowledge of the fresh water_ fishes 

 of the United States, and who is at present engaged in preparing an 

 Ichthyology of the United States, which will include the fishes of the 

 Pacific Coast. 



Those dealers who distinguish this fish ivom Psettichthys melanos- 

 tictus do not appear to rate its value as an article of food equal to 

 that of the latter; but the two kinds lie together on the stalls, and 

 are sold for the same price. The scales are ciliate or rough upon 

 their hinder margins, but less so than in the previous species. 



ParaUchthys maculosits, Girard, Monterey Halibut — This species 

 attains a large size, larger than that of any other of our flat-fishes 

 except the true halibut, Hij^poglossus. Individuals of from 30 to 40 

 pounds weight are comparatively common. The two largest I have 

 yet seen weighed respectively 43 and 58 pounds, and I am told that 

 it reaches from 60 to 70 pounds. The example weighing 58 pounds 

 measured nearly five feet in total length. Small individualsof this 

 species, having the eyes and color on the right side, were described by 

 Girard as ParaUchthys maculosus. Subsequently Dr. Ayres described, 

 under the name of Hippoglossus caUfornicus, a form which proves to 

 be really only the adult of Girard's species. As his examples were 

 sinistral in their coloration, it was until very lately believed that 

 these two names represented two distinct species, but it has now been 

 proved that they are one species, which is sometimes dextral, some- 

 times sinistral. The row of bluish spots along the dorsal and abdom- 

 inal outlines, which doubtless suggested the name maculosus, is pres- 

 ent in the adult, but is less distinct; and the caudal fin, said to be 

 convex in maculosus, and concave in caUfornicus, proves to have a 

 sinuous outline, the central and exterior rays produced beyond those 

 6^ 



