Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 212, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 September 1919 — Flatfishes Which Spend Lives on the Bottom Have Both Eyes on Right Side [ARTICLE]

Flatfishes Which Spend Lives on the Bottom Have Both Eyes on Right Side

Of “flatfishes” there are a number of species. Some of them are called “flounders,” and among them are the true “soles,” so highly esteemed by the epicure. ■ “ . The giant of their tribe is the halibut, which is rarely found in waters off our own coasts, .being a true Arctic fish. It attains a weight of 400 pounds. „ Like all other flatfishes, the halibut has a “blind side.” is to say, both of Its eyes are on one side of its head. Now, why should this be the case? A baby flounder has its eyes properly arranged, one on each side of the head. z As the little halibut, or Infant flounder, grows bigger, its left eye gradually grows over toward the right? side of the fish, until at length both its eyes are on that side. . But this, from Its point of view, Is highly desirable, inasmuch as it will spend its life lying on the bottom, mostly, and on its left side. In this position, and with both eyes on the right side of its~head, It is “okeh.”