Class IV. SMEAR-DAB FLOUNDER. 309 



Rhombus laevis Cornuliensis Pleuronectes laevis. PL oculis 5. Smear- 

 maculis nigris, a Kit. Mr. dextris, corpore glaberrimo, IJab. 



Jago. Raii syn. pise. 162. oculis fere contiguis, ore 



Jig. 1. angusto, labris exertis. Ed. 



Smear-dab. Br. Zool. 4to. iii. Hanmer. Mss. 



202. 



VV E found one of this species at a fishmon- 

 ger's in London, where it is known by the name 

 of the Smear-dab, on account of the body being 

 covered with a thick slime. 



It was a foot and a half long, and eleven Descrip- 



inches broad between fin and fin on the widest 

 part. The head appeared very small, as the 

 dorsal fin began very near its mouth, and ex- 

 tended very near to the tail ; it consisted of 

 seventy-nine rays, and was of a yellowish color 

 spotted with dusky. The eyes were pretty near 

 each other ; the irides pale yellow. The mouth 

 full of small teeth. The lateral line slightly 

 incurvated for the first two inches from its origin, 

 then continued strait to the tail. The back was 

 covered with small smooth scales, was of a light 

 brown color, spotted obscurely with yellow and 

 dusky ; the margins of the gill-covers yellow. 

 The belly white, and marked with five large 

 dusky spots.* 



* Not a constant character. Ed. 



tion. 



