THE SOLENETTE. 211 



tus. From the M. Ihnjuatulus it is at once seen to be specifically different, by 

 the greater length of its pectoral fin (about ^ that of head, whereas it is about 

 one-seventh in the other), by its smaller scales (about 85 in the lateral line, the 

 other having about 70), and by the conspicuous blotches of black, of which part 

 is on the dorsal and anal fins, and part on the body of the specimens.* With 

 M. variegatus the red-backed floimder accords in the length of pectoral fins, the 

 number of scales on the lateral line, and in general form ; in every character in- 

 deed, so far as I can judge from comparison with a specimen of M. variegatus 

 under 3 inches in length, except in colour. This difference, in itself cer- 

 tainly not specific, is nevertheless very striking ; my specimen of M. variegatus, 

 2f inches long, Mr. Yarrell's 5 inches, and Donovan's 9 inches in length, all 

 presenting similar variegated markings. The colour of the upper side of Han- 

 mer's fish is described to be ' a very light brown tinged with red,' and is 

 figured of a uniform colour. Such Dr. Parnell's (preserved dry) likewise are, 

 becoming darker at the margin, over which the black blotches on the dorsal and 

 anal fins occasionally extend for a few lines ; this marking, as represented in 

 Hanmer's figure, is characteristic of that in the specimens at present under ex- 

 amination ; but these exhibit rather more black on the dorsal fin. Hanmer's 

 specimen was 6| inches long. Dr. Parnell's are 7^ and 8f inches. 



" The number of denticles and form of the scales of the MonochiriviiW not prove 

 to be a positive character, though, relatively considered, they may be of service 

 in the elucidation of species. On examining one of my specimens of M. lin- 

 guatulus as to the number of these denticles, I found that a scale taken from the 

 lateral line had 21 ; another from the next row had 22 and 2 rudimentary points ; 

 a third from an adjacent part of the body had likewise 22. The outline of these 

 scales was different, the first being conspicuously contracted about the middle at 

 one side, and straight throughout the other ; the second slightly contracted about 

 the middle on both sides, and the third with the sides quite straight. In each of 

 two scales taken from the lateral line of Dr. Parnell's specimen of M. minvius 

 there are 22 large strong denticles, with rudimentary points between them ; 

 outline of these scales different, and as in the individual just described. In my 

 specimen of M. variegatus, two scales which touched upon the lateral line ex- 

 hibited only 10 and 13 points ; but this paucity may be owing to its diminutive 

 size. A scale from the lateral line of Dr. Parnell's smaller specimen of the red- 

 backed flounder exhibited 19 denticles, one off the third row from it 18. The 

 form of scale in all the individuals examined is much the same, being broader 

 for its length than that of scales I took from Solea vulgaris ; they were generally, 

 but not always, contracted about the middle, either at one or both sides. The 

 scales were all examined separately under the microscope, and hence is a differ- 

 ent result in the number of denticles from what would have appeared had they 

 been reckoned on the body of the fish." — Ami. Nat. Hist. vol. ii. Feb. 1839. 



The solenette has since been taken on the Dublin coast by Dr. R. Ball : 

 Mr. M'Calla, in a letter WTitten in 1840, mentioned his also having taken 

 it ofiF Dublin Bay, and on the Down coast. 



In July, 1840, during an excursion to the western coast, in company 

 with my friends Dr. Ball, Professor E. Forbes, and Mr. G. C. Hyndman, 

 we dredged a few specimens off Bundoran. 



The Variegated Sole, Soka rariegata, Flem., 

 Monochirus variegatus, Thomp., 



Has been once obtained on the North-East coast. The specimen of this 



Mon. Lingula, clearly showed the characters in which they differed from his 

 Moil, minutus. — See Mag. of Zool. and Bot. vol. i. p. 528. 



* The black spots mentioned in my description of the colours of Sol. Lingula, 

 Rond. (Annals, loc. cit.), differ entirely from these by appearing on the body 

 only ; they are small roundish spots, generally about a line in diameter. 



p 2 



