FISHES—PLEURONECTIDAE—PSETTICHTHYS SORDIDUS. 
155 
gradually in height to a certain distance, then diminishing again rapidly to the terminus of the 
fin, which does not extend to the base of the caudal. The origin of the anal is situated some¬ 
what posteriorly to the base of the pectorals. An acute and inconspicuous spine, directed 
horizontally forwards, may be observed at the anterior margin of that fin ; the soft rays 
increase gradually in size for a given distance, to diminish posteriorly exactly as is the case in 
the dorsal, terminating evenly with the latter fin. The peduncle of the tail is somewhat 
dilated near the insertion of the caudal, the central rays of which being the longest, the 
posterior margin of that fin is necessarily convex. The pectorals are small and the ventrals 
smaller still; both being exteriorly rounded when expanded. The extremity of the ventrals do 
not reach the anterior margin of the anal when bent in that direction. The insertion of the 
same fins is placed in advance of the base of the pectorals. The branchiostegals are six on 
either side ; the branchial apertures being continuous under the throat. 
Br. YI: VI; D 78 ; A 60 ; C 4, 1, 6, 6, 1, 3 ; V 6 ; P 12. 
The rays of the dorsal and anal fins being undivided ; those of the other fins bifurcated or 
dichotomised. The scales are very small, longer than deep, and extending over the head and 
vertical fins. The lateral line, from the scapular region, take a declivous course until it 
reaches the middle of the flank posteriorly to the tip of the pectorals; hence straightway to 
the caudal fin. The total length of the specimen described is four inches and three quarters. 
The ground color of the right side is cinereous interspersed with crowded black dots, which are 
occasionally confluent or irregularly grouped into patches. The left side is uniform dull yellow. 
List of specimens. 
Catal. 
No. 
No. of 
spec. 
Locality. 
When 
collected. 
Whence obtained. 
Nature of 
specimens. 
Collected by— 
704 
i 
San Francisco, Cal_ 
1853 
Lt. R. S. Williamson_ 
Alcoholic - 
Dr. Heermann_ 
610 
i 
Astoria, Oregon_ 
1856 
Lt. W. P. Trowbridge_ 
-do- 
Lt. Trowbridge_ 
2. PSETTICHTHYS SOEDIDUS, G-rd. 
Plate XLb. 
Spec. Char. —Body elongated and sub-elliptical. Eyes large, situated on the left side; interocular space very narrow. 
Jaws nearly even when mouth is closed. Posterior extremity of the maxillary extending to a vertical line intersecting the 
pupil. Anterior rays of dorsal fin gradually increasing in height. Dorsal and anal fins nearly even posteriorly. Origin of 
anal situated on a line passing immediately behind the base of the pectorals, and preceded by a very small spine. Scales 
moderate sized ; lateral line almost straight from head to tail. Ground color of a soiled yellow ; the scales being margined 
with black. 
Syn. —Psettichthys sordidus, Grd. in Proc. Acad. Nat. Sc. Philad. VII, 1854, 142 & 155. 
The general outline is sub-ellipsoid ; the total length being nearly five inches and a half, in 
which length the greatest depth enters a little short of three times. The head constitutes 
nearly the fourth of the total length. The gape of the mouth is oblique, and when closed the 
extremities of the jaws are even ; the posterior extremity of the maxillar bone extending to a 
vertical line which would intersect the pupil. The teeth are slender, unequal, sub-conical, and 
acerated, occupying either side of the jaws. The eyes are proportionally large, sub-elliptical, 
