476 REPORT OF THE 



that weighed 33/2 pounds after spawning. The eggs hatch in 17 or 18 days, when 

 the mean temperature of the water is 37 degrees to 38 degrees F. These notes are 

 from the published record of Dr. Smith. 



237. Sand Flounder {Platop/u-ys occllatiis Swainson). 



The Sand Flounder inhabits the waters of the Western Atlantic from Long 

 Island to Brazil on sandy shores. It is very common at Key West in clear shallow 

 water on sandy bottom. 



Two small examples of this Flounder were collected at Fire Island Beach, 

 September 30, 1890. These were obtained on a sand beach in shallow water. None 

 of the individuals so far obtained exceeds 3 inches in length. 



Family SOLEID^E. Soles. 



238. American Sole {Acliirus fasciatus Lacepede). 



The American Sole, or New York Sole of DeKay, according to that author, is 

 common in New York waters. It is usually taken in seines in the months of 

 September and October, but is too small to be important as an article of food. He 

 has eaten them and has found them to be very delicate. They abound on the 

 shallow fiats on the Jersey coast opposite New York, where they are called Calico. 

 The Sole has been taken as high up the Hudson as Peekskill. When first taken 

 from the water it escapes readily from the hand by an undulatory movement in 

 which it is aided by its mucous surface and by an elevation of its scales beneath. 

 By the same means it can make considerable progress over a moderately smooth 

 surface. He found it to be extremely tenacious of life, having kept one alive four 

 days out of water. 



This fish has been brought from Gravesend Bay every month except the first 

 four of the year. It is one of the most abundant fish of the Great South Bay region, 

 entering brackish and sometimes fresh waters. The young are especially fond of 

 incursions into the head waters of the short streams. The fish breeds abundantly in 

 Great South Bay. On September 14, igoi, individuals measuring from l^ to 2 

 inches were taken at Duncan's Creek. 



The species is common in Peconic Bay also. 



