50 



The Puget Sound Sand-dab, Hippoglossoides elassodon (Jordan and 

 Gilbert), (Fig. 108) resembles Eopsetta but has a single row of teeth 

 in the upper jaw instead of two, and possesses a spine developed in 

 connection with the anal fin. It has a length of 18 inches. 



The Slender Flounder, Lyopsetta exilis (Jordan and Gilbert), is 

 another relative of Eopsetta, but the scales are unusually large and 

 the proportions are more slender. 



The Black-spotted Flounder, Psettichthys melanostictus (Girard), 

 (Fig. 109) resembles the preceding species but has an accessory branch 

 to the lateral line. It is grayish brown with fine black markings. It 

 is 20 inches long and highly regarded as a food fish. 



The Soft Flounder or Plaice, Citharichthys sordidus (Girard), (Fig. 



110) is our only representative of the tribe of flat fishes known abroad 

 as turbots. They differ from the above described species which are 

 all related rather closely to the halibut and flounder, in possessing a 

 relatively large mouth, and the eye and color is on the left side rather 

 than on the right. The caudal fln is rounded and the ventral flns are 

 dissimilar in form and position. The space between the eyes is con- 

 cave. This species' attains a weight of two pounds but is not highly 

 regarded as a food fish, since the flesh is soft. 



The Speckled Flounder, Citharichthys stigmaeus (Jordan and Gil- 

 bert ) , is of the same general type as the soft flounder, but with the 

 space between the eyes raised in a sharp ridge. Very few specimens 

 of this species have been taken. 



The Scaly-flnned Flounder, Isopsetta isoleis (Lockington), has a 

 small unsymmetrical mouth, with the bones on the blind side strongly 

 curved. The lateral line has an accessory branch and is arched but 

 slightly in front. The flns are low, and are covered with ctenoid scales. 

 It reaches a length of 15 inches and is a good food fish. 



The Rough Flounder, Inopsetta ischrya (Jordan and Gilbert), (Fig. 



111) is similar to the preceding species but the teeth are incisor-like 

 and the scales are not imbricated. Specimens weigh up to four pounds. 

 It is not common in our waters but is a good food flsh. 



The Near-eyed Flounder, Parophrys vetulus (Girard), is closely 

 related to Inopsetta and has the same incisor-like teeth, but the scales 

 are imbricated and the space between the eyes is very narrow. 



The Rock Flounder, Lepidopsetta hilineata (Ayres), (Fig. 112) is 

 of the same general type as Isopsetta and Inopsetta, but the lateral line 

 has a distinct arch in front and an accessory branch is developed. The 

 scales are imbricated. In color it is yellowish brown with many pale 

 blotches. 



The Starry Flounder or Diamond Flounder, PlatichtJiys stellatus 

 (Pallas), (Pig. 114) is one of our most familiar flat fishes, as it is very 



