502 



FISHES 



especially in Protosphyraena (Cambridge Upper Greensand and 

 the Cretaceous of Europe and North America), it becomes greatly 

 elongated and associated with an exceptionally strong dentition. 



FIG. 297. Restoration of Hypsocormus insignis, omitting the sqnamation. Upper 

 Jurassic of Bavaria, x J. (From Smith Woodward.) 



Fam. 7. Aspidorhynchidae. Long-bodied Fishes, with a 

 pointed preoral rostrum, sharp teeth, and deep rhombic scales. 

 Fins small, the dorsal and anal being remote from the pelvic 

 fins. Fulcra vestigial or absent. Jugular plates not known. 



Two genera only are known. Aspidorhynchus is a Jurassic 

 form. Belonostomus is Upper Jurassic and Cretaceous. Species 

 of the latter genus have a very wide distribution (Europe, North 

 and South America, and Australia). 



FIG. 298. Restoration of Aspidorhynchus acutirostris. Upper Jurassic of Bavaria, 

 x^y. (From Smith Woodward.) 



Fam. 8. Lepidosteidae. Body elongate, with a relatively 

 short caudal region. Tail semi-heterocercal. Scales rhombic, 

 thick, ganoin-coated and articulated, not vertically elongated on 

 the sides of the body. Dorsal and anal fins short and remote 

 from the pelvic fins. Median fins with fulcra. Both the upper 

 and lower jaws more or less elongated, forming a broad and 

 depressed or a long tapering beak, near the anterior end of which 

 the nostrils are placed. Eyes small. Vertebral centra well 



