610 Davis— On the Fossil Fishes of the Chalk of Mount Lebanon. 
supported by a series of strong scapular bones. The distance between the 
base of the pectorals and that of the ventrals is 0°8 of an inch. The ventral 
fin is composed of ten rays, shorter than those of the pectorals; their position on 
the abdominal surface is similar to the pectorals. The ventrals are supported by 
strong pubic bones, which branch into two parts, one horizontally along the 
abdomen of the fish, the second diagonally upwards. 
The scales are not particularly well defined ; they are more or less rounded, 
and small in size. 
This species differs from Rhinellus furcatus, Agassiz, in many respects. The 
form of the body is very much thicker and stronger; the length of the body in 
proportion to its height is as 5 is to 1, whilst that of R. furcatus is as 18 to 1. 
The number of vertebree in R. furcatus is about forty-five, in this thirty-six. The 
dentition is different, as mentioned above; and the relative position of the fins 
diverges considerably in the two species. Indicating its strong form, the name 
Rhinellus robustus is given. 
In one of the specimens a small fish is preserved in the abdomen, apparently 
unmasticated, which appears to indicate that the long jaws of the fish, well 
armed with teeth, were used for prehensile purposes, as well as the predatory 
character of the fish. 
Formation and Locality—Upper Cretaceous: Sahel Alma, Mount Lebanon. 
Lx coll.—R. Damon, Esq., Weymouth (Lewis Collection). 
Rhinellus curtirostris, Davis. 
(Pl. xxxvut., fig. 2.) 
The specimen which forms the type of this species is unique. The head and 
the whole of the vertebral column is preserved. All the fins, excepting the dorsal, 
have disappeared, including the caudal. The posterior half of the fish is laid on 
its side; the anterior half has the dorsal surface uppermost. 
The head is small, 1*1 inch in length; of this the cranial portion occupies 0°6 
of an inch, and the beak 0°45 of an inch. The upper surface of the cranium is 
seen; it was covered with bony plates. An operculum, dislodged from its proper 
position, lies near; it is comparatively large and rhomboidal in outline. Detached 
scales occur here and there over the specimen; they are of medium size, more 
or less square, and smooth. 
The spinal column consists of forty-five vertebre ; they are longer than their 
diameter; the articulating surfaces are prominent, and the central portion con- 
tracted. The caudal vertebree number twenty, the remainder are abdominal. 
The neural and hemal spines are tolerably wide apart; the ribs are long, very 
