394 THK FLOUNDER FAMILY. 



disappears when only a very little older. The coloration 

 consisted of black and orange chromatophores, and more diffuse 

 patches of lemon-yellow, but the pigment was not arranged in 

 the manner characteristic of the adult. 



The next stage is that described by Cunningham, viz. from 

 ^ to I inch in length, and with the eyes on one side (right), 

 that is after transformation and the disappearance of the colour 

 from the left side. It was procured on May 15th, so that 

 presumably it is the young of that year in the south (Meva- 

 gissey). 



Young specimens of the sole occur in the estuary of the 

 Thames in October and are caught in the shrimp-trawls. They 

 average from 2f to 3J inch in length and evidently belong to 

 the same season's brood. On Cunningham's estimate of the 

 spawning-period as extending from March to May inclusive 

 they may be from five to eight months old. 



Cunningham, whose opportunities for the study of this 

 species have been very favourable, states that specimens 2| to 

 2J in. were obtained by Holt from April to June, and these 

 appeared to be 9 or 10 months old, probably however, amongst 

 the smallest of the series. The sole reaches 6 — 7 inches the 

 first }'ear, 9 — 11 the second year, and from 9 — 15 during the 

 third year. 



It has been supposed that certain fishes, such as the sole 

 and turbot, only spawn in deep water, where there is sufficient 

 pressure to aid in the process. Those entertaining this notion 

 have therefore pointed out the futility of attempting to keep 

 soles for spawning purposes in enclosed shallow areas, as in 

 connection with the Dunbar Hatchery of the Fishery Board for 

 Scotland. As occasionally happens in such cases facts make the 

 best critics, for within a brief period after the issue of this view 

 the soles were spawning freely in the shallow tanks at Plymouth. 

 It is true these and other flat fishes are somewhat difficult to 

 treat during their spawoing-jDeriod in confinement, but there is 

 no reason to suppose that such obstacles cannot be overcome 

 by care and perseverance. 



So fai' as regards the larval period the sole is one of the 

 hardiest of flat-fishes, and its subsequent stages exhibit no 



