ays THE SOLE. 
On opening the head of this fish, the curious structure which enables it 
to perform such marvellous feats is clearly seen. Just within the sides of the 
head, the pharyngeal bones, z.c. the bones that support the orifice be:ween the 
mouth and gullet, are much enlarged, and modified into a series of labyrin- 
thine cells and duplications, so that they retain a large amount of water in the 
interstices, and prevent the gill membranes from becoming dry. Some 
writers say that this fish is capable of climbing up the rough stems of palm- 
trees, in search of tne water that lodges between the bases of the dead 
leaves and the stem, or perhaps in search of food. Inthe Tamoule language 
it is called Panezrz, or tree-climber. 
THE FLaT FISHES, as they are popularly called, or the Pleuronectide, as 
they are named scientifically, are among the most remarkable of the finny 
tribe. The latter name is of Greek origin, and signifies “ side-swimmer,” in 
allusion to the mode of progression usually adopted by these fishes. 
The popular but erroneous idea of these creatures is, that their bodies are 
flattened so that the abdomen rests on the ground and the back remains 
uppermost ; but a brief examination suffices to show that the form of these 
fishes is really compressed, so that when a turbot or a sole is placed on the 
ground, it lies upon one side or the other. Though varying in colour, it is 
found that the upper side is always of a dark tint, the under side being quite 
if not wholly white. This arrangement is most useful in guarding them 
against the attacks of enemies, their flat dark upper surface bearing so great 
a resemblance to the sand on which they love to creep, that they can scarcely 
be distinguished, even when the eye is directed towards them. 
While at their ease, they slide themselves over the bed of the sea in a kind 
of creeping fashion and 
have an odd custom of 
lying with the head raised 
in a manner that irresistibly 
reminds the observer of the 
cobra. If alarmed, they 
start at once into the verti- 
cal position usually assumed 
by fishes, and dash off with 
astonishing speed. As they 
swim, the flat fishes un- 
dulate through the water in 
a most graceful manner, and 
it is very interesting to watch 
SOLE.—(Soka vulgaris.) one of the common flat 
fishes, such as the plaice or 
the sole, swim with serpentine ease and elegance, and then suffer itself to 
sink slowly to the bottom, where it sits, with raised head and watchful eyes. 
It is evident that if the eyes of the flat fishes were placed in the manner 
customary among the finny race, one eye would be rendered useless as long 
as the fish was lying upon its side. This difficulty is therefore met by a most 
extraordinary modification of the bones of the head, by which means both 
the eyes are brought to that side which remains uppermost, and are thereby 
enabled to command a wide view around. There have been one or two 
instances where the eyes have been placed one on each side, but these may 
be considered as simple variations from the ordinary rule. 
THE COMMON SOLE is one of the most familiar of our British flat fishes, 
and is found on all our coasts, those of the southern shores being the most 
plentiful, and attaining the largest dimensions. 
The Sole can be takcn by the line, but the fishermen always use the trawl- 
