108 
BULLETIN OF THE UNITED STATES FISH COMMISSION. 
PLEURONECTIDJE The Flounders. 
200 . Hippoglossus hippoglossus (Linnaeus). “Halibut.” (*) 
Formerly not very uncommon in Vineyard Sound, hut now very rare. Last taken about ten years 
ago, when one weighing about 80 pounds was caught. Between ten and twenty-five years ago, 
during April, a number of large-sized halibut were taken annually while fishing for cod off Great 
Harbor and elsewhere in the sound. In 1872 or 1873 Mr. Edwards caught a number weighing 235 or 
240 pounds. 
201 . Hippoglossoides platessoides (Fabricius). Sand-dab; Rough-dab; Rusty Flounder. (*) 
Not common. Found some years in winter in the inshore waters adjacent to Woods Hole; speci- 
mens have been taken in February on lines. One year some were caught in a fyke net in Great 
Harbor. 
202 . Paralichthys dentatus (Linnaeus). Summer Flounder; “Flounder.” (* t) 
Found from about May 10 to October 15. More abundant during summer than the flatfish. Fre- 
quents sandy bottoms. Average weight, 2£ pounds; maximum, 20 pounds. The largest are taken in 
the traps. 
203 . Paralichthys oblongus (Mitchill). Four-spotted Flounder; “Flounder.” (* t) 
Common in May and June; scarce at other times. Most abundant about June 1, during the run 
of soup, when many are caught in traps. Young fish are rarely observed, but in the fall of 1885 or 
1886 large numbers, 2 or 3 inches long, were seined. Average length, 12 inches. The fish spawns in 
May and its eggs have been experimentally hatched at Woods Hole. The eggs are buoyant, of 
an inch in diameter, and hatch in 8 days in water having a mean temperature of 51° to 56° F. 
204 . Bothus maculatus (Mitchill). “Sand-dab”; “Window-panefi (* t) 
Found from April to late in autumn. There is quite a large ruu about June 1, when the fish is 
with spawn. The average size is 10 or 12 inches. In the experimental hatching of the .eggs of this 
fish at Woods Hole it has been found that the eggs are buoyant, nonadhesive, and of an inch in. 
diameter, and that they hatch in eight days when the mean water temperature is 51° to 56° F. 
205 . Limanda ferruginea (Store.r). “Rusty Flatfish.” (*t) 
Very common in Vineyard Sound and Buzzards Bay, in water 10 to 12 fathoms deep, where it may 
be found throughout the year. There is no fishery, but numbers are caught incidentally while bottom 
fishing for other species. In Great Harbor a few are taken in fyke nets only in winter. The average 
length is about 14 inches. 
206 . Pseudopleuronectes americanus (Walbaum). “Flatfish”; “ Winter Flounder”; “ Pug.” (* t) 
A very abundant permanent resident. Frequents muddy or grassy bottom. Some are either 
wholly or partly blackish on the nude side, this condition being more prevalent some winters than 
others. The average weight of those taken in the immediate vicinity of the station is only 1 pound, 
but larger examples are found in the deeper water of the sound and bay. In October fish averaging 2 
pounds, and apparently slowly migrating, are taken with lines in Vineyard Sound on sandy bottom; 
these are called “pugs” by the fishermen, and the fishery is called “pugging.” 
This fish spawns from February to April in this region and its artificial cultivation is extensively 
carried on. Spawning fish are very abundant and are caught with fyke nets on hard clay bottom in 
water 6 to 15 feet deep. On being transferred to tanks containing running water, many deposit their 
eggs voluntarily during the night. The eggs are of an inch in diameter, and when first extruded 
are very glutinous, sticking together in masses of various sizes. The average number of eggs to 
a fish is 500,000. On March 6, 1897, 1,462,000 eggs, or 30 fluid ounces, were taken from a fish that 
weighed 3$ pounds after spawning. The eggs hatch in 17 or 18 days when the mean water tempera- 
ture is 37° or 38° F. 
SOLEIDJE. The Soles. 
207 . Achirus fasciatus Lac6p5de. Sole; Hog-cholcpr; “ Black Flatfish.” (* t) 
A few are taken every year in the traps in Vineyard Sound. It is abundant in Wareham River, 
at the head of Buzzards Bay; some are found in Waquoit Bay and a few are taken in Great Harbor. 
It is present throughout the year. In allusion to the dark underparts the fishermen call it the “black 
flatfish.” 
