204 MALACOPTERYGII. 



noted by me, were 22, 23, and Uvo of them 23^ inches in length. In the 

 stomach of one I found a CalUonymus Dracunculns 3 inches in length, and 

 the remains of three small Gadi : in another were three examples of Mer- 

 laiKjiis vulgaris, about 3 inches long ; a third contained only shrimp-like 

 cnisfaceous animals. A whiff purchased here on Oct. 21, 1836, had just 

 shed her ova, as evinced by a few mature ones only remaining. 



The colours of this fish are peculiarly unattractive. Of nine examples 

 of which the colom- and markings were noted down, I find that 

 the greater number were of a greyish brown (a washy ground), with 

 blackish markings of a hue as if originally black, but partly washed out. 

 In some specimens small and numerous markings (more so than in 

 Donovan's fig.) ; in others, several large roundish markings only. Only 

 one example could be called handsomely marked. It was of a rich colour, 

 although light, brown Avith conspicuous markings all over, but at^some little 

 distance from each other, with small dark brown spots. — Under side white 

 without markings. 



Whiff? Plewonectes 3Iegastoma f Don. pi. 51. 



Length 22 inches. 



D. 86; P. 12; V. 6; A. 67; C. 15 (not reckoning lateral rays, of 

 which there are two at each side, making in all 19) ; B. This specimen, 

 which I purchased from Nichol, was, he informs me, pi'ocured by him in 

 Belfast market, late in spring, 1833. 



D. and A. fins widest towards posterior extremity, and not in the cen- 

 tre, as described by Donovan and Fleming, p. 196, to be the case in those 

 of the whiff. 



Whifl', Pleiironectes Mefiastorna, bought in Belfast market, Oct. 21, 

 1836. It was taken at Bangor. 



Length 22 inches, lateral line as figured by Donovan, but the anterior 

 arch not just so abrupt. 



D. 89; A. 67 ; V. 6 ; P. 11 (on upper side 1st very short, 4th longest, 

 length 2^ inches) ; P. 10 (on under side, 1st very short, 6 and 7 equal, 

 and longest 1:^ inch long) ; C. 17 in all. 



Greatest breadth of fish, without reckoning fins, 8 inches, and central 

 between base of tail and upper jaw. It differs from Mr. Yarrell's descrip- 

 tion in the eyes being equal ; they are 1 or 2 lines from anterior to pos- 

 terior (not in diameter, as they are not round), pupil black encircled with 

 a narrow line of silver colour tinged with pale yellow. The arch at the 

 anterior jjart of the lateral line much more conspicuous than the straight 

 line forming its base, and scales similar to those extending joosteriorly in a 

 straight line to tail. 



Colour of entire upper side and fins ? but of a greyish brown, with ob- 

 scure spots much more numerous and smaller than appear in Donovan's 

 figure ; under side Avhite. 



Pleuronectes 3Ieqastoma. See notice of specimen described by me in 

 Oct. 21, 1836. 



Jan. 3, 1837. I bovight a specimen in Belfast market taken at Ard- 

 glass. Length 23|^ inches, lateral line as figured by Donovan, but the arch 

 not so abrupt posteriorly. 



D. 87 ; A. 69 ; V. 6 ; P. 11 ; on upper side, 10 (on under 1st ray very 

 short on both sides, it and the second ray simple on both sides, remainder 

 branched) ; C. 17 in all. Branchiostegous membrane, 7 ; 3rd ray of P. long- 

 est. P. 2^ inches long on upper, \\ inch long on under side. Greatest 

 breadth of body, exclusive of fins, 7^ inches, and central between base of 

 tail and upper jaw. 



