198 WAITE 
is a right-sided species, whereas the British Turbot is left-sided, 
both are however good to eat, and ‘‘New Zealand Turbot’’ is 
by no means a bad name. 
Owing, perhaps to the looseness with which these common 
names have been used, a considerable amount of misconception 
has arisen in respect to the scientific names also, thus the Lemon 
Sole has been generally identified with Ammotretis rostratus, 
a species which I have reason to believe is not found in New 
Zealand seas, but represented by an allied though undescribed 
species, Ammotretis nudipinnis. In any case the common 
Lemon Sole does not belong to the genus Ammotretis as pre- 
viously supposed, a supposition which, probably taken as an 
axiom, left no ground for further research. As far as I am 
aware, therefore, this fish has never been described, and it will 
here be found under the name Pelotretis flavilatus. 
This confusion of names may be very embarrassing to those 
who may not be specialists in taxonomy, but nevertheless under- 
take excellent work in connection with the life history, distribu- 
tion, artificial propagation, diseases, and other subjects connected 
with our fisheries. It is difficult to give examples without 
appearing to be somewhat personal, but I trust that my remarks 
may be taken in the spirit in which they are intended. 
Mr. Thomas Anderton, to whom I have before referred, and 
to whom I owe many courtesies, has written a very excellent 
account of the development of some of our marine fishes, but 
as the following quotation will indicate, he makes no pretence 
of dealing with the troublesome question of nomenclature, and 
indeed on this very account delayed the publication of his work 
for a whole year :—‘‘Owing to the uncertainty as to the identity 
of the two species of Flounders which were taken in the harbour 
it was considered inadvisable in last year’s report to publish an 
account of the eggs and larve until the species had been 
definitely ascertained. This has now been done by Professor 
Benham, and we are able to give a few particulars of each 
species. ’’22 
The species referred to are Rhombosolea plebeia and 
R. tapirina, which, if it be not presumption for me to say so, 
I have had the opportunity of verifying. On the previous page 
Mr. Anderton refers to ‘‘The Brill ’’ remarking—‘‘This fine 
fish appears to be only an occasional visitor; it is seldom taken 
on trawling grounds off Otago Heads, and only in small 
quantities. It is a very handsome fish, and is greatly esteemed 
as a table delicacy. Nothing is at present known of its habits 
and movements, but it is a fish deserving every possible atten- 
tion.’? Mr. Anderton has used the name Pseudorhombus scaphus 
(22) Anderton, Trans. N.Z. Inst, xxxix. 1907, p. 480. 
