194 Evolution and Distribution of Fishes 



Fig. 26. Squatina speciosa, an ancient type of ray-fish from the 

 lithographic stone of Solenhofen, Bavaria, a, mandible; b, pectoral 

 arch; c, pectoral fin; d, pelvic arch; e, pelvic fin. Two-thirds 

 natural size. (From A. S. Woodward). 



Statement that after complete, or almost complete, oblitera- 

 tion of marine fishes in early Permian time, during the 

 Triassic or early Liassic days derivatives of the older 

 elasmobranchs that inhabited lakes, river beds and swamps, 

 again began to descend to the sea, where their descendants 

 are still a powerful and aggressive, though not very abund- 

 ant, group. 



An equally abundant land flora, and land to freshwater 

 fauna, have been described and listed for central European 



