208 MALACOPTEUYGII. 



placed more vertically, in the dorsal and anal fins being rather more distant 

 from tlie caudal fin, and in the general form of the body, which tapers less 

 towards the tail ; the rays too of the dorsal and anal fins are considerably fewer 

 in number than in N. LinguJa. 



" The colour generally of the .S. variecjata is very similar to that of Donovan's 

 figure (British Fishes, vol. v. pi. 117), being of a pale yellowish brown, with the 

 three conspicuous dark transverse markings approximating more the form of 

 bands, and equidistant from each other, the last extending entirely across the 

 body; the indication of a fourth band appears above the termination of the 

 opercle, one (narrow and inconspicuous) at the base, and another near the ex- 

 tremity of the caudal fin ; the body is likewise marbled with blackish brown, 

 towards, and spreading over, the base of the dorsal and anal fins ; between the 

 bands are faint markings of pale brown ; dorsal and anal fins pale yellowish 

 brown, marked irregularly with black towards the tail. 



" The four specimens of S. Lingida, though not all exactly of the same shade 

 of colour, are on the upper side of a pale brown, entirely and closely freckled 

 over with a darker tint, and exhibiting several small roundish dark brown and 

 white spots on the body at the base of the dorsal and anal fins, and along the 

 lateral line : these brown and white spots are often disposed alternately. The 

 largest individual presents, in addition to them, small white specks over the body 

 generally. Rays of dorsal and anal fins occasionally black. Pupil dark blue, 

 surrounded by a golden ring of about a hair's breadth. The number of fin-rays 

 in my specimen of .S. variegata are, D. 63; A. 49 ; P. 4 ;* V. 4 ; C. 19 in all. 

 In two of the specimens of S. Lingula, varying most from each other in size, 

 there are 72 rays in the dorsal and 56 in the anal fin ; two others have the dorsal 

 with 76 and the anal with 58 and 59 rays. 



" Both species have papillaj on the under surface of the head, are rough with 

 ciliated scales on the under as well as the upper side, and have the nostrils 

 tubular, bixt not to such an extent as Risso, terming the projection a ' barbillon,' 

 figures that of his Monochirus Pegusa. 



'' The variegated sole of Donovan and Yarrell appears to be the same, and 

 with it I consider the individual under consideration identical. With Mr. 

 Jenyns's description of S. Lingula my other specimens accord, as they also do 

 with Mr. Hanmer's description and figure of the red-backed sole (Pennant's 

 British Zoology, vol. iii. p. 313, pi. 48, ed. 1812), with the exception of the 

 black markings on the dorsal and anal fins, extending over several raj'S and their 

 connecting membrane, instead of being confined to a single ray, as in all the 

 specimens I have examined. 



" It is worthy of investigation whether the Monochirus Pegusa of Risso (t. iii. 

 p. 258, f. 33, ed. 1826) be diff"erent from the Solea variegata here treated of. 

 The figure and description of that species, though not in every respect accordant 

 with each other, present many characters in common with it. 



" The .S. variegata is here for the first time recorded as occurring on the coast 

 of Ireland." — Annals Nat. Hist. vol. ii. Sept., 1838. 



" By the kindness of Dr. Parnell in stipplying me with specimens of the red- 



but a reference to his general description will show that it is the comparative 

 magnitude of its scales to those of the common sole (.S. vulgaris) to which he 

 alludes, and in which he is correct, as he likewise is in describing those of the 

 latter species to be "remarkably diminutive." The scales of my specimen ac- 

 cord in size with those of Donovan's figure of P. variegatus : being reckoned 

 from the origin of the lateral line to the base of the rays of the caudal fin 

 (those on the rays not being enumerated) they are about eighty-five in number ; 

 in the specimen of S. Lingula examined there are about seventy scales within 

 the same space. The scales lie more closely to the body in S'. Litigula than in 

 N. variegata. 



* This refers to the upper side, in which the second ray is the longest, and 

 terminated by a filament ; length of this ray and filament H line: P. fin on 

 tuider side rudimentary, half a line in length, and rays undistinguishablo. 



