EASTMAN: FISHES FROM UPPER EOCENE OF MONTE BOLCA. 341 



The above re-descriptions of the larger groups of Scombroid fishes are taken 

 from Dr. Regan's diagnoses as contained in his paper published in the Annals and 

 Magazine of Natural History for January. 1909. It is of interest to note that in 

 this paper the genus Blochius is removed from association with Blennoid fishes, 

 and assigned to a position intermediate between sail-fishes {Histiophorus and 

 Tetrapterus) and sword-fishes (Xiphiidse). 



Blochius, an extinct genus and the solitary representative of the family to 

 which it belongs, has been regarded by paleichthyologists from Agassiz onward as 

 of doubtful systematic position. Certain cylindrical spines, found always in the 

 detached condition, and assigned to the provisional " genus " Coelorhynchus, have 

 been compared with the slender, elongate rostrum of Blochius, and a theoretical 

 association of these remains is perhaps permissible. But it is a matter of consider- 

 able interest to note the resemblances to which Regan has called attention between 

 Blochius and Xiphias. 



For instance, in the paper above referred to, Dr. Regan speaks as follows : 



" The adult Xiphias gladius differs considerably from Blochius, but very young 

 specimens clearly show its relationship to the extinct genus. An example of nearly 

 200 mm. in the British Museum is very similar to Blochius longirostris, resembling 

 it in the long slender jaws, the elongate body with the greatest depth just behind 

 the head, and the continuous dorsal fin. The body is covered with rough non- 

 imbricated scales, with four longitudinal series of enlarged scales on each side, two 

 corresponding in position to the lateral series in Blochius and the others running 

 at the base of the dorsal and anal fins." 



Concerning the osteology of Scombroid fishes in general, reference may be made 

 at this point to the important papers of E. C. Starks on this subject pubUshed in 

 the Journal of Morphology, Vol. XXI, pp. 77-79, and in the Leland Stanford 

 Junior University Publications, University Series, No. 5, 1911. 



Suborder Gobioides. 

 Pelvic fins thoracic; opisthotic enlarged, extending downwards to the basioc- 

 cipital. T 



Family Gobiid^. 



This family comprises small fishes, which are widely distributed on the coasts 

 of temperate and tropical seas, sometimes also occurring in fresh water. With the 

 exception of the single genus Eocottus, the precise systematic position of which is 

 doubtful, no satisfactorily preserved remains of this family have been discovered. 

 In the opinion of Dr. A. Smith Woodward Eocottus should be placed in the family 

 Cottidse among the Scorpjeniformes. More recently Dr. Regan has expressed the 



