96 . [April 



any indication in R. rigida of the four series of dorsal blotches. In fact, there 

 is no North American species more strongly marked than this. 



Abdominal scales 133, the last one divided ; subcaudal 59. Dorsal ro"vvs of 

 scales 19. Length 19^ inches, of which the tail measures 4i inches. 



As yet, this species has only been detected in Northern Illinois, where it is 

 rarely met with. The few specimens obtained have been found iu the woods, 

 generally under logs. 



This snake is rather sluggish, and, like Regiiia Grahaviii of B. and G , is not 

 very pugnacious. 



In giving to this serpent the name of Dr. Kirtland, as a slight token of the 

 respect due him, to whose enthusiastic and untiring devotion to Science the 

 West owes so much, I would also make some expression of my personal grati- 

 tude to the honored teacher, whose kind encouragement and instruction led me 

 to study Nature, by dedicating to him his pupil's first contribution to Science 



Descripiion of several new genera and species of Fossil Fishes, from the Carboniferous 



Strata of Ohio. 



By J. S. Newberry, M. D. 



MECOLEPIS Newberry. 



Ileterocercal lepidoids o? small size. Body fusiform. Head obtuse. Tail 

 elongated. Lobes very unequal. Fins small and provided with delicate fulcra. 

 Dorsal opposite anal or nearly so, both set far back in body. Cranial surface 

 ornamented by corrugations, tubercles or granulations. Opercular, maxillary 

 and hyoid plates ornamented with convoluted corrugations of the surface in 

 various patterns. 



Scales smooth, or ornamented ; posterior margin of lateral scales all or in part 

 serrated. Scales of median line above and below characteristically angled or 

 crenulatcd. Two rows of scales on sides extending back to near anal fin, re- 

 markably high, vertical 2 to 5 times longitudinal diameter. 



Lateral line nearly straight, passing the upper part of lower row of high scales. 



Teeth conical, short, en brosse. 



The peculiar group of fishes to which I have given the generic name of Me- 

 eolepis, apparently represents the Palceonisci in the ichthyic fauna of the locality 

 where they occur. From Ambli/pterus and Elonichtlii/s they may readily be dis- 

 tinguished by their small fins all bearing fulcra. With Palceoniscus their affini- 

 ties are closer, but the ensemble of characters presented by the large number of 

 specimens which I have examined, seem to separate them from that genus. 

 Among these diagnostic characters the most conspicuous are their small size, 

 posterior position of dorsal fin and especially the high lateral scales. 



1. M. coRRUGATrs Ncwb. Body fusiform, robust. Length 3 in. 4 lines ; 

 breadth 10 lines. Length of head 8 lines. Anterior lateral scales 2 J times as 

 high as long. Cranial plates ornamented by convolutions of fine, thread-like 

 corrugations. Maxillary bones, oi:>ercular and hyoid plates corrugated much as 

 superior surface of head. Scales smooth, except a few on the anterior dorsal 

 surface, which are finely striate and punctate. Posterior margins of lateral 

 scales as far back as anal and dorsal fins serrated. Scales of tail, like most of 

 those of the dorsal and ventral surfaces, plain on surface and margins. Ante- 

 rior margin of anal fin opposite centre of dorsal fin; longest rays of anal fin when 

 collapsed just reaching base of caudal fin. 



2. M. TUBERcuLATUs Newb. Body fusiform. Eutire length 3 inches. Head 

 6 lines. Tail 8 lines. 



Cranial plates strongh' tuberculated; tubercles rounded elongated and reni- 

 form. Surfaces of opercular, maxillary and hyoid bones covered with linear 

 parallel corrugations. 



Surface of all the scales of the body smooth, except a few on the anterior 



