BIHAXG nu. K. SV. VKT.-AKAU. IIANUL. IJAND 1. N:0 J>. 11 



laterally. The bony tissue is coarse and radiates from thc 

 jjyrainidal augle as from a centrc of ossification. I am inclined 

 to refer it to a iisli. 



Two very singular fossils, labellcd (49) (46) (Saurie llook, 

 Polar Exp. 1868, Mus. Stocklira. No.), imbeddcd in solid black 

 limestone, have baffled my efforts-to decipher their naturc. Thcy 

 are stout tapering cylinders, tlie longer one is now 5 inchcs 

 long, biit was originally longer. The smaller end of this one, 

 broken across, has an oval sectional figure, 0,7 by 8 inches 

 in its diameter; and thc base, which is not symmetrical, is 2 

 inches across, swelling out suddenly, and surmounted by a 

 smooth contracted part faintly marked with rings. In the rest 

 of its cxtent thc surface is coarsely striated longitudinally. 



In the same stone with the larger of these fossils and in 

 juxtaposition to it are pieces of ribs (3) indicating an animal 

 of large size. The form and general appearance of the large 

 cylindroid bones remind me of the short cylindro-conical cau- 

 dal ribs which in some plesiosaurs (e. g. P. Manselii) remain 

 exceptionalty throughout life (even in old individuals) unan- 

 chylosed by bony tissue to thc transverse processes, and are 

 shed duriug the rotting of the carcass; but the size of these 

 Spitzbergen fossils grcatly exceeds that of all thc ribs of this 

 kind which have como under my notice. 



