Next) Fishes in the Frith of Forth. 209 



1885, April 4.— Dr Charles Anderson, formerly V. P. in 

 the chair. 



There was read a communication from Mr R. H. Parnell re- 

 garding some new and rare fishes which he had procured from 

 the Frith of Forth. In addition to the ample list of fishes found 

 in the Forth, given by Dr Neil], and published in the Trans- 

 actions of the Society, the author has detected nine others, two 

 of which are new to science; one he referred to the genus Solea, 

 the other to that of Platessa. 



New Species of Sole. — This evidently enough belongs to the 

 family Pleuronectes, but perhaps can scarcely find a place in any 

 genus at present known. It varies much in shape, sometimes 

 resembling a Brill, at others a Sole ; in character it mostly re- 

 sembles the genus Solea, in having the teeth deficient on the 

 eye side, but in consequence of the mouth not being twisted, and 

 the whole fish covered with a strong cuticle, it cannot be placed 

 in that genus ; it differs from all the other genera in having the 

 teeth deficient on the eye side. When recent, length sixteen 

 inches, breadth nine and a half, and one inch thick ; mottled 

 with white, yellow, and brown; the lateral line arched, two inches 

 in length, and a quarter of an inch in breadth over the pectoral 

 fin, from thence running straight to the tail. Jaws equal 5 each 

 furnished with a row of obtuse cutting teeth, very closely set to- 

 gether, extending but half way round, and being deficient on 

 the eye-side. The first two teeth on the lower jaw on the eye-side 

 are the largest, and a little apart from the others ; the eyes are 

 large, situated on the right side, the irides of a light yellow 

 colour; pectoral fins with nine rays ; ventral fins five, anal fin 

 seventy-three. Dorsal fin ninety rays, the first commencing 

 over the eye, and running within half an inch of the tail ; cau- 

 dal fin rounded at the end, with sixteen rays. The whole fish 

 is covered with a strong cuticle, rendering the scales very adhe- 

 rent, and the whole surface smooth. The first specimen which 

 Mr Parnell observed was in February last, which he sent to Dr 

 Greville, who made an accurate drawing of it. In March he 

 found them more plentiful, and in April they entirely dis- 

 appeared ; they are known to the fishermen by the name of 

 French Sole, and appear to be confined to the Fifeshire coast, 

 where they are taken with the hook on the fine sandy banks. 



VOL. XIX. NO. XXXVII. JULY 1835. O 



