38 



Fossil Fishes. 



Wall-case, 

 No. 17. 



Table-case. 

 No. 53. 



Remains of several other forms from the Siwalik Hills, India, and 

 the highlands of Padang, Sumatra, are exhibited; these being 

 mostly allied to species still living in those regions. Still more 

 fragmentary fossils have been described from the Tertiaries of North 

 America. 



Suborder II. — Anacanthini. 



This suborder, which comprises the symmetrically-formed Cod- 

 fishes {Gadoidei) and the remarkably unsymmetrical Flat-fishes 

 (Pleuronectoidei), is not known to have many representatives in the 

 fossil state. None of the fins have spinous rays (hence the name) ; 

 the median fins are almost invariably well developed ; and the 

 pelvic fins, when present, have either a thoracic or jugular situation. 



Nemopteryx and Falceogadus are Gadoids from the black slates 

 of Glaris; other undescribed forms occur in the London Clay of 

 Sheppey; and a small recent Gadus is shown in a nodule from 

 Glacial Clay, Bindalen, Norway. 



The " Elat-fishes " are characterized, except in the very young 

 state, by the peculiar habit of constantly swimming and resting 

 upon one side, the fore part of the head, with both eyes, becoming 

 gradually twisted to the upper or opposite side in the adult. 

 Species equally modified or "specialized" are met with even in 

 the Eocene of Monte Eolca, where the living Rhombus occurs; 

 and there are small kinds of " Sole " (Solea) in the Miocene of 

 Ulm, Wiirtemberg ; it is remarkable, however, that no less-altered 

 ancestral types have hitherto been recognized. 



Table-case, 

 No. 53. 



Suborder III. — Phahyngognathi. 



This is a group of spiny-finned fishes characterized by the 

 coalescence of their two lower pharyngeal bones, which support 

 a powerful dentition. 



Fig. 76.— Pharyngeal dentition of PhyUodus petiolatus, London Clay, Sheppey. 



The true " Wrasses" (Lalrus) appear to be represented in the 

 Eocene of Monte Bolca, and an extinct family, the Pharyngodopilid(e, 

 is indicated by some pharyngeal dental plates from the London 



