248 PISCES. 



and the anal both very long, uniting in a point at the caudal; only 

 very fine and very short teeth in the jaws. They inhabit deep water, 

 and when taken from it utter sounds similar to those produced by a 

 Grisles. 



Two species are captured in the depths of the Ocean and the 



Mediterranean, the Lepidol. cxlorhynchus and tranchyrynchus of 



Risso, Ed. I, pi. vii, f. 21 and 22.(1) 



FAMILY II. 



PLANI. 



The second family of the Malacopterygii Subrachiati, com- 

 monly called Flat-JisheSf comprises the great genus 



Pleuronectes, Lin. (2) 



These fishes present a character, which, with respect to vertebrated 

 animals, is perfectly unique: it is the total want of symmetry in the 

 head, where both eyes are on one side, which always remains upper- 

 most when the animal is swimming; and which is always deeply 

 coloured, while that on which the eyes are wanting is always whitish. 

 The remainder of the body, although, generally speaking, formed as 

 usual, participates a little in this irregularity. Thus the two sides 

 of the mouth are not equal, and the two pectorals are rarely so. 

 Their body is strongly compressed and vertically elevated; the dor- 

 sal extends along the whole back; the anal occupies the under part 

 of the body, and almost seems to be continued forwards by the ven- 

 trals, which are frequently united with it. There are six rays in the 

 branchiae. The abdominal cavity is small, but is prolonged by a 



(1) Direct comparison has satisfied me that the Lepidoleprus cxlorhynchus of 

 the Mediterranean, Risso, Ed. I, pi. vii, f. 22, does not differ in the least from the 

 Macrourus rupestris, BL, 177, or Coryphaeiia rupesiris, Gmel., Gunner, Mem. de 

 Dronth., Ill, pi. iii, f. J. On the other hand, the Lepidokprus trachyrhyncJius, 

 Risso, lb., f. 21, is the same fish as the Oxycephas scabrus, Rafin., Indie, pi. 1, 

 f. 2. The same species, or one closely allied to it, is given in the Atlas of Kru- 

 senst, pi. Ix, f. 8 and 9. Giorna had also furnished incomplete figures of the two 

 species, Mem. of the Ac of Turin, Vol. IX, pi. 1 . The Lepidoleprus trachyrhyn- 

 chus is also the Mysticetus of Aldrovand. Pise. p. 342. 



(2) Pletironectes, a name formed by Artedi, from vKivfo., the flank and v»xT»f, a 

 swimmer, because they swim on the side. Tiie ancients gave them different 

 names according to the species, such as Passer, Rhombus, Buglossa, &c. 



