326 SCALD FISH FLOUNDER. Class IV. 



though in a less degree. Head rather small ; 

 the jaws of equal length, blunt; the lateral line 

 bent near the head. The dorsal fin consists of 

 eighty-two rays, as does the anal, which reaches 

 to the tail ; the pectoral of ten rays ; a double 

 row of rays, five in each, form the ventral fins; 

 behind them is one or more short and sharp 

 spines; the tail is rounded at the extremity; 

 the rays of all the fins, including those of the 

 tail, are bristly, and connected by a thin film 

 or pellicle, which is easily broken. The scales 

 are so deciduous, that the friction of the trawl 

 alone is sufficient to remove them ; when taken 

 out of the net they are usually dead, and in 

 that bare state which gives some propriety to 

 the name they are known by of Scaldjish. 

 They seem only to be known at Plymouth, 

 and occur there very rarely. Their length is 

 rather more than five inches, their breadth not 

 exceeding two inches ; and are probably the 

 smallest of the English species, and of a cor- 

 responding value." E. H.* 



* The editor has to express his obligations to Edward Han- 

 mer, Esq. of Stockgrove, for the valuable additions distin- 

 guished by the above initials. To the same friend he is indebted 

 for farther observations on this genus, which are inserted in the 

 Appendix. No. IV. Ed. 



