244 PLEURONECTIDiE. 



confirms the existence of two distinct species on our shores. 

 Though somewhat similar in the form of the body, the 

 ■ colouring, and the spots, there are still the following well- 

 marked distinguishing specific characters. 



The hirtus of Muller, and those included in the syno- 

 nymes here given, have the eye or coloured side only of the 

 body rough ; the under side smooth ; the eyes and mouth 

 small : the first ray of the dorsal fin not longer than the 

 succeeding rays ; the ventral and anal fins united ; the dorsal 

 and anal fins also connected to the tail by a membrane ; the 

 tail short and rounded ; the scales of the body when de- 

 tached higher than wide. 



The punctatus of Bloch, and the fishes included under the 

 synonymes given with the next species, have both sides of 

 the body rough ; the eyes large and prominent ; the mouth 

 larger than in hirtus, and not placed so obliquely ; the first 

 ray of the dorsal fin elongated ; the ventral and anal fins 

 separated ; the tail rather long ; the scales of the body when 

 detached wider than high. 



The hirtus of Muller appears to be the most common 

 species of the two ; but neither occur very frequently. I 

 have received a specimen from Dr. George Johnston, which 

 was taken near Berwick Bay ; and I am indebted to Profes- 

 sor Henslow of Cambridge for a drawing of one taken in the 

 Medway. Dr. John Harwood, of St. Leonard's, possesses 

 a specimen taken on the Sussex coast ; and both Colonel Mon- 

 tagu and Mr. Hanmer obtained specimens in Devonshire. 



Mr. Couch considers it not an uncommon fish in the 

 West of England, and has furnished me with two examples, 

 from one of which the figure was taken. It appears to keep 

 among rocks, where it is not readily distinguished, on account 

 of the similarity in its colour to the seaweed ; and it is chiefly 

 taken in the nets which are set for Red Mullet. In winter 



