PLEISTOCRNE GEOLOGY OF THE THAMES VAF.LEY. 351 



are referred to Rana temporavia since they agree in every respect 

 with the corresponding bones of that species. We have also the 

 distal portion of a female humerus, which, from its size, may 

 possibly be referable to Rana esculent a. 



Bufo vulgaris. A left scapula in Mr. Johnson's collection 

 from Grays agrees so closely with that of the recent Toad in the 

 character of its curvature, proportions and processes, that we 

 have no hesitation in referring it to this species. We have seen 

 no other bones from Grays which could unquestionably be said 

 to represent Bujo, but some of those referred to Rana may 

 probably belong to this genus. Both the frog and the toad are 

 known from the " Forest Bed," and also from Pleistocene 

 strata. The toad is, however, a new record for the Drift of the 

 Thames Valley. 



PISCES. 



By E. T. NEWTON, F.R.S., F.G.S. 



The search for small vertebrate remains in British Pleisto- 

 cene deposits has, within the last few years, made known to us 

 many species of Mammals and Birds in the fossil state in Britain, 

 which were previously only recognized as living species. The 

 remains of fishes from deposits of this age, however, have been 

 but seldom met with, and any discoveries in this direction are 

 worthy of being placed on record. Messrs. Hinton and Kennard 

 have for some time past been searching the beds at Grays 

 Thurrock, and by means of careful sifting have obtained a 

 number of bones and teeth of small vertebrata, among which are 

 a goodly series of fish teeth and bones, all very small, but at the 

 same time sufficiently perfect in many instances to allow of 

 specific determination. 



Acerina vulgaris ? Cuvier (Ruff). Twelve otoliths vary- 

 ing in size from 2.5 mm. to 5.0 mrn. in length are provisionally 

 included in this species. The outline and form of the sulcus 

 agree most nearly with what is found in the otoliths of the RufF; 

 but as the Grays specimens are all somewhat denuded their 

 points and serrations are not so sharp as in the recent fish, and 

 consequently there may be some little doubt as to their specific 

 identity with the Ruff. These otoliths correspond very closely 

 with the one from the Norfolk Forest Bed (Pliocene) which was 

 likewise referred to this species. 



