167 
BHOMBOSOLEA BASSEN8IR. 
{The Melbourne Sole.') 
The height ®f the body is two and a-half times in the total 
length ; the head is nearly five times in the same ; the space be- 
tween the eyes is covered with scales, and is one-half the longi- 
tudinal diameter of the eye ; the lower eye is considerably in 
advance of the upper ; snout contained three and two-third times 
in the total length of the head ; the eye five times in the same. 
The dorsal fin begins at the foremost extremity of the snout, and 
has seventy-five rays, the first twenty-five having a short prolon- 
gated filament ; caudal quite free, formed of eighteen rays, 
thirteen of which only attain its extremity ; anal of fifty-one 
rays ; ventrals with seven rays, having short filamentary prolon- 
gations ; the pectorals are one-half the length of the head, and 
are formed of twelve rays ; the external fourth part of the rays 
being free of the membranes. 
The operculum has a rather strong angle above the root of 
the pectorals ; the lateral line is straight, and runs over about 
ninety lines of scales. The teeth on the right side are very few> 
irregular, and tuberculous, hut on the blind side they are very 
numerous, on four or five very irregular lines ; they are conical 
and sharp, and some are slightly curved ; on the lower jaw the 
teeth are similar, but on four lines. The scales of the body are 
puncto-striated, and strongly ciliated, which makes the fish feel 
rough to the touch ; the fin rays are entirely covered with 
scales. 
The general colour is of a dark brown, marbled with black 
blotches, the sides of which are well shaded with the general 
colour ; in the larger specimens this is sometimes entirely 
black. 
The largest specimens attain one foot long. 
It is found all the year, but more commonly during the cold 
months. It sometimes goes up the Tarra to Melbourne. 
Nota. — Professor M‘Coy, in the “ Intercolonial Exhibition 
Eeports, 1866-67,” says, that a true Solea, nearly allied to 
S. Margaritifera, is found in Hobson’s Bay, and it is probable 
that lie means this sort ; but the distinctive character of Solea is 
