560 TELEOSTEI CHAP. 
the parietals in contact on the median line, vertebral centra 
without transverse processes, a moderately large dorsal with 
simple anterior rays, and large ventrals advanced far forwards 
and formed of 8 rays. Its affinities are still obscure, but the 
condition of the jaws decides its allocation to the sub-order 
Malacopterygu, whilst in the position of the ventrals it is most 
nearly approached by the Pantodontidae. Small Fishes known 
only by two genera, of the Cretaceous period (England and Mount 
Lebanon), one with ctenoid scales (Ctenothrissa), the other with 
cycloid scales (Awlolepis). 
Fam. 13. Phractolaemidae.— Mouth edentulous, projectile, 
bordered by the very slender praemaxillaries and maxillaries. 
Supraoccipital in contact with the frontals, widely separating the 
small parietals; operculum and suboperculum well developed ; 
praeoperculum small; interoperculum enormous, covering the 
gular region and overlapping its fellow; symplectic absent. 
Basis cranii single. No pharyngeal teeth. Only 3 slender branchi- 
ostegal rays. Ribs stout, sessile, nearly completely encircling the 
body; slender epineurals ; no epipleurals ; caudal region very short. 
Supratemporal small, simple, fixed to the parietal and squamosal ; 
no postclavicle; scapular foramen in the scapula. Pectoral fin 
inserted low down, folding like the ventrals ; latter with 6 rays. 
Fic. 339.—Phractolaemus ansorgii. 2 nat. size. 
The remarkable little Fish, Phractolaemus ansorgit, discovered 
by Dr. W. J. Ansorge in the Niger Delta in 1900, and which 
has since also been found in the Congo, stands quite apart among 
the Malacopterygians, its nearest allies being apparently the 
Osteoglossidae. The body is elongate and subcylindrical, covered 
with large striated scales; the head is small, the skull strongly 
ossified, covered with thin skin; the mouth small, proboscidiform, 
