PLEURONECTID^. 



Genns VI — Pleueonectes, Artedt. 



Platessa, Cuvier ; Limanda, Microstomus, and Glypiocephalus, Gottsche : 

 Platiohthys, Girard ; Glidoderma, Pseudojileuroniates, Brachyprosopon, Bleeker. 



Branchiostegals five to seven : pseudohranehim present. Eyes on the right side : 

 the wpper not in advance of the lower. Cleft of mouth shallow. Teeth of a moderate 

 size, in a single or double row in each jaw, and which are most developed on, the blind 

 side : none on the vomer or palate. Dorsal fin commences above the eyes : both 

 pectorals present. Vertical fins not confluent. Scales small or rudimentary. 



Considerable differences are observable in the species composing this genus, as 

 may be perceired when observing tbe numerous sub-divisions into wbich it has 

 been subjected. Irrespective of this, considerable variations are found among 

 individuals belonging to the same species, as has been already remarked upon as 

 a family characteristic (see page 3). While Gill has observed a species in which 

 the male has rough and the female smooth scales, -while during the breeding 

 season the teeth are movable in both sexes. 



As bait for these fishes on foul ground lug-worms and pieces of the flesh of the 

 conger or herring are much used. But the majority along the British coasts are 

 obtained by means of the beam trawl. I shall defer the consideration of this 

 mode of fishing until arriving at the valuable genus of Solea (page 37) . 

 The British forms belonging to this genus have been thus divided : — 



A. Teeth lanceolate and compressed. 



a. Lateral-line nearly or quite straight. 



1. A spine before the anal fin. 



1. Pleuroneotes platessa, D. 66-77, A. 50-57. Rough interorbital ridge. 



2. Pleuronectes microcephalus, D. 85-93, A. 70-76. Tellowish, blotched with 

 darker patches. 



2. No spine before the anal fin. 



3. Pleuronectes cynoglossus, D. 102-115, A. 86-97. 



b. Lateral-line strongly curved anteriorly. 



4. Pleurotiectes limanda, D. 66-78, A. 50-62. 



B. Teeth conical. 

 a. Lateral-line with a slight curve anteriorly. 



5. Pleuronectes flesus, D. 60-62, A. 39-45. Ossicles at base of dorsal and anal 

 rays. 



A. Teeth lanceolate and compressed. 



a. Lateral-line nearly or quite straight. 

 1. A spine before the anal fin. 



1. Pleuronectes platessa, Plate CI. 



Passer vulgaris and Quadratulus, i, p. 143 ; Belon. i, p. 142. Passer, pt. 

 Rondel, xi, c. 7, p. 316; Gesner, pp.664, 670; Schonev. p. 61; Ray, p. 31. 

 Alia passeris species, Rondel, xi, c. 8, p. 318. Passer Imvis, Aldrov. ii, c. 47, 

 p. 243 ; Jonston, i, tit. iii, c. 3, art. 2, punct. i, t. xxii. Pleuronectes, sp. Artedi, 



