N0.2lt7. FOSSIL FISHES IN NATIONAL MUSFVM— EASTMAN. 279 



trated in the figures at the bottom of plates 12 and 13. Although a 

 precise specific determination is impossible, nevertheless a near 

 comparison may be made with the Semionotid form described by 

 Michael as Prolepidotus gallineJci, from the Upper Keuper of Silesia.^ 

 (A series of naturally associated Lepidotid scales is shown m plate 

 10, figure 7.) The character of the Kanab Valley fish-fauna certainl}^ 

 differs markedly from that of the eastern United States, the differ- 

 ences being probably attributable to the different nature of the sedi- 

 mentation in the two regions. 



A very important suite of material from the Trias of South Africa 

 comprising well-preserved specimens of Semionotus capensis Wood- 

 ward is contaiaed ui the collection. The anatomical structure of 

 this species has been carefully investigated by the late Dr. E. Schell- 

 wien.2 Finally, mention should be made of a small but interesting 

 collection of fossil fishes from the Hawkesbury Series at Gosford, 

 New South Wales, one specunen among the number being a peculiar 

 form of BelonorTiyncIius, presently to be described. The ichthyic fauna 

 of this formation has been investigated principally by Dr. A. S. 

 Woodward.^ 



Family CATOPTERIDAE Woodward. 



This family comprises Triassic fusiform fishes resembhng Palaeoni- 

 scids in general structure, but having an abbreviate heterocercal tail, 

 and lepidotrichia which only shghtly exceed the radials in number. 

 The latter also appear to be formed chiefly of one proximal segment. 

 The ganoid scales are rhombic; the teeth slender and conical. 



The family is accompanied in the Trias by other chondrosteans 

 which became eel-shaped (Belonorhynchidae) and died out during that 

 period. Still others, which gradually lost their scaly covering and 

 head bones (CJiondrosteus) continued to survive, and are represented 

 by the sturgeons of the existing famia. The relations of this family 

 are, therefore, with modem sturgeons rather than with the two sur- 

 viving genera of Protospondyh, Amia and Lepidosteus. 



Genus CATOPTERUS Redfield. 



The type-species of this genus, C. gracilis, was described by J, H. 

 Redfield in 1837. A decade later the second known species of Catop- 

 terus was described by Sir PhiUp Grey Egerton, when the new genus 

 Dictyopyge was estabhshed by him upon the evidence of fairly well 

 preserved specimens from the Richmond coal field of Virginia. 



1 Michael, R. Uebereine neue Lepidosteiden-Gattimg aus dem oberen Keuper Oberschlesiens. Zeitscfar. 

 Deutseh. Geol. Ges., vol. 45, 1893, pp. 710-729. 



2Schellwien, E. Ueber Semionotus Ag. Phys-okon. Ges., Konigsberg, 1901. 



3 Woodward, A. S. The fossil fishes Of the Hawkesbury Series at Gosford. Mem. Geol. Surv. New South 

 Wales, Palaeont., No. 4, 1890. * 



