Class IV. TOPKNOT FLOUNDER. 823 



sizes are thickly scattered over the surface ; one 

 remarkable black ribband-shaped mark or band 

 crosses the head nearly in a line with the eyes ; 

 the scales are very rough, small, closely set, and 

 ciliated with points. The eyes are placed in 

 round sockets and are rather prominent; the 

 pupil black ; the irides a bright sea-green. The 

 mouth protrusile, opening wide, and thickly set 

 with teeth in both jaws. The side line much 

 bent near the head. The dorsal and anal fins 

 gradually lengthen towards the tail, near which 

 they shorten and embrace the lower side of it, 

 when they almost meet; the ventral and anal 

 fins are united by a continuation of the skins 

 that cover them (a circumstance not noticed in 

 former descriptions) ; at this junction there is 

 a passage to the vent, which is at the external 

 margin. The tail is rounded. The length of a 

 specimen from the Plymouth coast was five 

 inches and three quarters, the breadth three 

 inches and a quarter. 



" Upon the coasts of Denmark and Norway, 

 where it is better known than with us, it is said 

 to be held in much estimation. Our specimen 

 was taken in the spring near Plymouth ; the 

 fishermen had no name for it." E. H. 



t 2 



