167 



EHOMBOSOLEA BASSENSIS. 



(The Melbourne Sole.) 



The height ©f the body is two and a-half times in the total 

 length ; the head is nearly five times in the same ; the space be- 

 tween the eyes is covered with scales, and is one-half the longi- 

 tudinal diameter of the eye ; the lower eye is considerably in 

 advance of the upper ; snout contained three and two-third times 

 in the total length of the head ; the eye five times in the same. 

 The dorsal fin begins at the foremost extremity of the snout, and 

 has seventy-five rays, the first twenty-five having a short prolon- 

 gated filament ; caudal quite free, formed of eighteen rays, 

 thirteen of which only attain its extremity ; anal of fifty-one 

 rays ; ventrals with seven rays, having short filamentary prolon- 

 gations ; the pectorals are one-half the length of the head, and 

 are formed of twelve rays ; the external fourth part of the rays 

 being free of the membranes. 



The operculum has a rather strong angle above the root of 

 the pectorals ; the lateral line is straight, and runs over about 

 ninety lines of scales. The teeth on the right side are very few> 

 irregular, and tuberculous, but on the blind side they are very 

 numerous, on four or five very irregular lines ; they are conical 

 and sharp, and some are slightly curved ; on the lower jaw the 

 teeth are similar, but on four lines. The scales of the body are 

 puncto-striated, and strongly ciliated, which makes the fish feel 

 rough to the touch ; the fin rays are entirely covered with 

 scales. 



The general colour is of a dark brown, marbled with black 

 blotches, the sides of which are well shaded with the general 

 colour ; in the larger specimens this is sometimes entirely 

 black. 



The largest specimens attain one foot long. 



It is found all the year, but more commonly during the cold 

 months. It sometimes goes up the Tarra to Melbourne. 



Nota. — Professor M'Coy, in the " Intercolonial Exhibition 

 Reports, 1866-67," says, that a true Solea, nearly allied to 

 S. Margaritifera, is found in Hobson's Bay, and it is probable 

 that he means this sort ; but the distinctive character of Solea is 



