On a new species of the genus Cephalopterus. 25 



set with small rough processes, resembling those of a rasp, in- 

 stead of teeth. There was in this huge mouth no appearance 

 of a tongue. 



There were five branchial openings on each side beneath ; 

 and these were protected by as many gill-covers These open- 

 ings and their covers were of different lengths, from twelve 

 to twenty-four inches, .The breadth of the opercula, varied 

 from seven to ten inches. The arches supporting the gills 

 were attached within, the divisions of both extensively ramifi- 

 ed, and the organization of the branchiae more exquisite and 

 elegant than I had ever seen. The distance from gill to gill 

 across the roof of the mouth, varied from one foot and eight 

 inches to three feet and nine inches. 



The greatest breadth of the scull or osseous part of the head 

 was five feet. The distance between the eyes, 4 feet 2 inch. 



Distance between the nostrils, ... - 2 3£ 



Distance between the eye and ear ... 11 

 eye and nostril 1 1 



. . . . corner of the mouth and eye, 1 1| 



On each side of the mouth there was a vertical fin two feet 

 and six inches long, twelve inches deep, and two inches and a 

 half thick in the middle, whence it tapered toward the edges, 

 which were fringed before with a radiated margin. Each 

 contains twenty-seven parallel rows (not radiations) of gristle 

 or cartilage. The natural flexibility and elasticity of these 

 were greatly increased by articulations alternating with each 

 other through every gristle and every part of the texture. 

 Motion was communicated to these cartilages by muscles situ- 

 ated between them and the common integuments which enve- 

 loped them with admirable effect. The fin or organ so con- 

 stituted could, from its flexibility, bend in all directions, and 

 be made in many respects to perform the function of a hand ; 

 so. as by twisting round, to seize an object and hold it fast. 

 The phalanges of this fin were attached, by strong liga- 

 ments to the upper jaw and to the point of articulation with 

 the lower. These two organs, situated one near each angle of 



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