36. Chap. 36. (20.)-Classification Of Fishes, According To The Shape Of The Body.

CHAP. 36. (20.)—CLASSIFICATION OF FISHES, ACCORDING TO THE SHAPE OF THE BODY.

Some sea-fish are flat, such, for instance, as the rhombus,[1] the sole,[2] and the sea-sparrow;[3] which last only differs from the rhombus in the lateral position of the body. The rhombus lies with the right side upwards,[4] while in the sea-sparrow the left side is uppermost. Some sea-fish, again, are long, as the muræna and the conger.

1. The turbot, Pleuronectes maximus of Linnæus.

2. Pleuronectes solea of Linnæus.

3. "Passer." Probably our "plaice"—the Pleuronectes platessa of Linnæus.

4. The pleuronectes in general, Cuvier says, have the two eyes situate on the same side of the body. The turbot has them on the left side, and lies on the sand on the right side, while the plaice or the flounder has the eyes on the right, and lies on the left side-the reverse of what Pliny says.