414 MEMOIRS OF THE CARNEGIE MUSEUM. 



36. Sauropsis curtus, sp. nov. (Plate LXVI, fig. 1.) 

 Type. — Nearly complete fish; Carnegie Museum Cat. No. 4772. 

 Form of body deeper and more compact than in other known species, the 

 trunk relatively short and tapering rapidly posteriorly, the width of the caudal 

 pedicle equalling about one-third of the maximum depth. Length of head with 

 opercular apparatus equalling maximum depth, and contained nearly four times 

 in the total length to the base of the caudal fin. Form and position of the fins 

 as in the type species (*S. longimanus) , except that the pectoral pair is less strongly 

 developed, and the rays of all the fins show articulations throughout their entire 

 length. Dorsal fin-supports about thirty, and anal fin-supports about fifty in 

 number, all more closely spaced than the neural and haemal spines. Number of 

 the latter upwards of ninety from the anterior portion of the axis to a point under- 

 neath the hinder extremity of the dorsal fin, and their total number estimated to 

 have been about one hundred and twenty-five. Lateral line conspicuous, parallel 

 with the axis, and continued over the parieto-frontal bones of the head. Operculum 

 subtriangular and much deepened; pre-operculum narrow and elongate, in contact 

 through its entire length anteriorly with the vertically elongate postorbital. Snout 

 obtuse; dentition as in the type-species. 



The holotype answering to the above description is a magnificently preserved 

 specimen, having a total length of about 28 cm., and of very great importance on 

 account of the perfection with which the cranial and facial elements are displayed. 

 A remarkable feature is the great elongation in a vertical (transverse) direction of 

 all of the parts lying between the postorbital and posttemporals. The postorbital 

 itself occupies the space which in the existing Amia is covered by a distinct portion 

 of the integument overlying the pre-operculum and extending forward to the angle 

 of the jaws. 



Genus Hypsocormus Wagner. 



37. Hypsocormus insignis Wagner. (Plate LXXI, fig. 3.) 

 (For synonymy cj. A. S. Woodward, Cat. Foss. Fishes Brit. Mus., Pt. Ill, p. 391.) 

 An exceptionally perfect example of this species (No. 5398) having a total length 

 to the base of the caudal fin of 53 cm., and displaying all of the fins and skeletal 

 parts to advantage, is to be seen on exhibition in the Hall of Fossil Vertebrates 

 in the Carnegie Museum. The pectoral fin-rays are stouter and more numerous 

 than are shown in A. S. Woodward's restoration of this species, and the supports 

 for the anal are somewhat longer. For purposes of comparison the figure given 

 by Woodward is here reproduced. 



