FORM.—Breadth, not including the dorsal and anal fins, half the length
of the oval of the body. Eyes on the left side, apparently distant
from each other about two diameters; the upper one a little behind
the lower. Teeth sharp and strong, forming a very regular series.
The lateral line takes a sweep over the pectoral fin. The dorsal
commences above the upper eye; the first half, or until it gets
above the extremity of the reclined pectoral, is very little
elevated, and much lower than the rest of the fin, with the membrane
apparently notched between the rays; the remainder of the fin
attains a moderate elevation, and there is an abrupt transition from
the former to the latter portion. The anal answers to the elevated
portion of the dorsal: both these fins fall short of the caudal by a
small space. Pectorals short, and of a somewhat triangular form.
Ventrals very distinct, free, placed right and left, with the rays a
little projecting beyond the membrane; which last character appears
also in the dorsal and anal. Tail somewhat square, but the middle
rays slightly projecting beyond the lateral ones in the form of an
obtuse lobe.
COLOUR.—Represented in the drawing of a uniform light brown.
Habitat, Valparaiso.
This is the species of which, as before stated, no specimen was brought
home, but only a coloured drawing made by Mr. Phillip King, an officer
of the Beagle, for Capt. FitzRoy. The drawing appears to have been done
with accuracy, and from it the above description has been taken. The
fin-ray formula, however, was computed from the recent fish, the above
numbers being marked upon the drawing.
[Illustration:
_Fish. Pl. 26._
_from Nature by W. Hawkins_
_Hippoglossus Kingii._
]
The teeth appear to indicate this species as belonging to _Hippoglossus_
rather than to _Rhombus_, though possibly it may be found hereafter to
serve as the type of a distinct subgenus in this family. The form of the
dorsal fin, if correctly delineated, is remarkable. The size of the fish
is not stated.