37 2 



CARL L. HUR KS : 



interorbital, and perhaps in the more slender form, and in the slightly 

 smaller scales, and in the somewhat fewer fin-rays. 



III. The Species of Hippoglssoides. 

 Ä. — Introduction. 



In a recent report on flounders and soles from Japan, the writer 1 

 described a new species of Hippoglossoidcs [H. propinqmis), and de- 

 scribed or discussed the species of the genus previously recognized. 

 Schmidt- has since published an account of the Pacific species of 

 Hippoglossoidcs, reducing them to the rank of subspecies. In a num- 

 ber of cases our conclusions were at variance. A subsequent review 

 of the species has resulted in the following account of the classification, 

 status, and nomenclature of these flounders. 



B.— The Subgeneric Distinction of the Atlantic and 

 Pacific Species. 



The most important result of Schmidt's work probably lies in his 

 discovery of certain differences which separate the Atlantic species 

 consistently from those found in the Pacific. He separates the two 

 groups as fellows : 



" i. Branchcostegal rays 8. Lateral line single, nearly straight. 

 The contours of the dorsal and anal fins in the posterior 

 half convex (Atlantic Ocean).... H. platcssoidcs Fabr. 

 "li. Branchcostegal rays 7. Lateral line single, slightly rising 

 anteriorly, or forming a very low arch. The contours of 

 the dorsal and anal fins in the posterior half concave 

 (Pacific Ocean)....//, ellassodon, Jord. and Gilb." 

 These statements have been verified in H. platcssoidcs and in four 

 of the Pacific species .• H. classodon, dnbius, hamiltoni, and propinqmis. 



1 ) Hubbs, Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., 48, Mar. 20, 1915, pp. 466-471, pi. 26, fig. 5. 



2) Schmidt, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., 16, Oct. 1915, pp. 299-308 (with complete syno- 

 nomies, apparently published before the receipt of the paper by Hubbs). 



