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common and is constantly seen in the markets. It is immediately rec- 

 ognized by the absence of scales, their place being taken by a corre- 

 sponding number of stellate tubercles. It is dark brown above with 

 a number of pronounced blotches of black upon the fins. It attains a 

 considerable size, specimens two feet in length being on record. 



The Smear-dab or Slippery Sole, Microstomus paciflciis (Locking- 

 ton), is a species which secretes an extraordinary amount of mucus 

 when taken from the water, which makes them extremely slippery. 

 The mouth is small and the eyes unusually large. The pectoral fins 

 are of about equal size. No spine is developed at the front end of the 

 anal fin. Ground color, pale brown with darker blotches. The larger 

 specimens weigh upwards of a pound and are used for food. 



The Long-finned Flounder, Glyptocephalus zachirus (Lockington), 

 is easily recognized by the extraordinary length of the pectoral fin on 

 the upper side, which is fully one-quarter the length of the body. The 

 lateral line is nearly straight. In color it is pale brown, varying to 

 ashy. This species is so thin and the flesh so dry it is not regarded 

 as a desirable food fish. 



The Speckled Flounder, Pleuronichthys nephelus (Starks and 

 Thompson), is an abundant species in Puget Sound. The lateral line 

 is nearly straight and has a dorsal branch. The scales are large, cir- 

 cular and imbedded in the skin. The lips are thick and have several 

 lengthwise folds. The anal fin is preceded by a spine. In color this 

 species is mottled and speckled in a variegated pattern, but several 

 conspicuous dark spots on the side and others on the tail fin give a 

 distinctive marking to the fish. It attains a length of about a foot. 



