202 
M A.LACQPTER Y GII. 
“ Compared with a specimen of P. hirtus, Mull. (6| inches in length, and like- 
wise taken on the coast of Down),* * the ridge between the eyes is much more 
elevated, the difference being strikingly conspicuous when the two species are 
placed together ; lateral line on both sides much arched within the range of the 
pectoral fins, thence straight to the tail. 
“ The upper side presents as a ground colour a mixture of various shades of 
light brown, with a round dark spot, 3 lines in diameter, commencing an inch 
from the tail ; it is likewise marked with a very few smaller inconspicuous round 
dark-coloured spots, and blotched irregularly with very dark rich brown. The 
fins do not exhibit any round spots, as shown in Dr. Fleming’s figure (Phil, of 
Zool., vol. i. pi. 3), but are all irregularly marked on the upper side with many 
different shades of brown ; irides reddish-golden ; under side of body white, 
with a very pale reddish tinge. In all characters not mentioned here this spe- 
cimen accords with Mr. Jenyns’ description (p. 462). 
“ With Mr. Yarrell I agree in considering the Rhombus unimaculatus of Risso 
(Hist. Nat. i’Eur. Mer. t. iii. p. 252, f. 35) identical with this species. In the 
number of rays in the fins, individuals appear to differ considerably, but perhaps 
not more so than might have been expected when so great is their number.” 
August 19 th, 1844. — Mr. G. C. Hyndman, when dredging in Belfast Bay, be- 
tween Carrickfergus and Graypoint, in from 3 to 6 fathoms water, captured two 
fishes of this species 3 inches each in length — beautiful little creatures, which I 
have preserved. See Zool. Proc. 1837, p. 60. 
Top-knot Flounder, Pleuronectes punctatus, Penn., vol. iii. p. 322, pi. 51. 
March ‘Ibth, 1835. — -I procured a specimen of this fish in Belfast market, 
which was taken at Ardglass. The fish- venders had not seen a similar specimen 
before. Its length is 6§ inches. B. 7 ; D. 95; P. 6 rays on the upper and 11 
on the under fin, the rays on the former longer and much stouter than in the 
latter ; Y. 6 (which are not only connected by a membrane with the A. but look 
in profile like a continuation of this fin) ; A. 69 ; C. 17 (in all). 
In the above enumeration of the D. and A. fin-rays, the rays in the finlets at 
the posterior extremity of each are not reckoned. These finlets have a very sin- 
gular appearance, and are each composed of several single bifurcated and tri- 
furcated rays; they should perhaps be called second D. and second A., though 
from being placed on the under side these terms might be misapplied. 
Colour of upper side, including all the fins, dark brown marbled over and 
obscurely spotted with darker shades of brown ; a small silver spot at base of P. 
fin is all the contrast that appears to the general brown appearance, a band of 
very dark brown runs in an oblique direction towards the back from the upper 
eye, and a similar one towards the vent from the lower, under side white, D. 
and A. fins broadest towards the posterior extremity. 
Irides silvery clouded over with brown, pupil black, no sea-green appears, as 
described by Pennant (“ la prunelle est noir et l’iris d’un verd demer,” Bloch, 
vol. ii. p. 238) ; but the specimen, though quite fresh, may possibly have lost 
this appearance. Lateral line on upper side has three turns within the first or 
anterior portion, comprising about 1 1 inch ; thence to tail quite straight. Lateral 
line on under side differs in some degree from this. 
Both jaws very thickly set with teeth. 
Lateral line strongly marked on upper side, though stated “ to be rather in- 
distinct ” in Dr. Fleming’s specimen (Wern. Mem. vol. ii. p. 241). 
“ Jaws nearly equal,” as described by Fleming. 
Breadth of body, exclusive of fins, 2 inches 7 lines. 
three last dividing each into two near the base, which divisions again, as in the 
opposite one, become forked. This explanation will perhaps account for the 
less number of D. and A. fin-rays set down to the present specimen than is 
generally attributed to the species. The divisions here mentioned have probably 
been reckoned as distinct rays. Pectoral fin larger on the upper than on the 
under side ; ten rays in each. 
* See Proceedings Zool. Soc., 1837, p. 60. 
