TION. 



306 COMMON FLOUNDER. Class IV. 



than those which live in the sea. It is inferior 

 in size to the plaise, for we never heard of any 

 that weighed more than six pounds. 

 Descrip- It may very easily be distinguished from the 

 plaise, or any other fish of this genus, by a row 

 of sharp small spines that surround its upper 

 sides, and are placed just at the junction of 

 the fins with the body. Another row marks the 

 side-line, and runs half way down the back. The 

 color of the upper part of the body is a pale 

 brown, sometimes marked with a few obscure 

 spots of dirty yellow ; the belly is white. 



We have met with a variety of this fish with 

 the eyes and lateral line on the left side. Lin- 

 nceus makes a distinct species of it under the 

 name of Pleuronectes Passer ;* but since it dif- 

 fers in no other respect from the common kind, 

 we agree with Doctor Gronovius in not separat- 

 ing them. 



* This is le Moineau de mer of Block (Ichth. ii. 54. tab. 50.) 

 who coincides with Linnceus in considering it as a distinct spe- 

 cies ; it certainly differs materially in form, and we conceive it 

 probable that the true Pleuronectes Passer may be unknown on 

 our shores, while the flounder, with eyes on the left side, is 

 extremely common. Duhamel distinguishes flat fishes under 

 these circumstances, viz. with eyes placed contrary to their usual 

 direction, by the appellation of " contournes." This change ap- 

 pears confined to those which have the eyes usually on the right 

 side. The Turbot and Pearl are often found double, or with the 

 under side resembling the upper. Ed. 



