Short notices of American Fossil Fishes. 27 
lets; which presenta finely serrated appearance. The scales and 
vertebrae appear to extend into the upper lobe of the tail, but ina 
more limited degree than appears in most of the older fossil fishes 
of es The following species may be assigned to this ge- 
nu 
L Catopterus gracilis: J. H. R.—Larger Catopterus. The 
length of this species varies from near seven to nine and a half 
inches ; its width is from one and a half to near two inches. 'The 
_ dorsal fin is-small, nearly triangular, and is placed opposite the 
center of the broad and flowing anal fin. The pectoral fins are 
of an elongated form, and are strengthened on the anterior margin 
by one or two large and partially flattened rays, to the front of 
which, the fringe of fine raylets is attached. Owing to this 
peculiarity of structure, the smallest section of the pectoral fin 
will often serve to identify this species. 
Found at Westfield, Middlefield, neers and Southbury, 
Ct. ;* Sunderland, Mass. : ; and Bétiiton, N 
2. Catopterus sruscmuress : W.C. caetliatan finned or Virgin- 
ia Catopterus. This beautiful species is distinguished by its 
broad and flowing fins; of which the anal is so extended as to 
be nearly joined to the sesndied fin. The latter is finely extended. 
The length of this species is from’ four to five inches ; its width 
from one and one eighth, to one and three eighth inches. The 
fringes of raylets on the anterior margins of the fins are remark- 
ably fine and beautiful. The posterior margins, of the scales 
seem to be curled slightly outward, giving the surface a somewhat 
‘roughened appearance. 
Found in Chesterfield county, Virginia ; twelve miles from 
Richmond. Parts of near twenty specimens were found ona 
single piece of the rock which was presented to the New York 
Lyceum, the extreme length of which did not exceed twelve 
inches. — 
3. Catopterus anguilliformis: W.C. R.—Eel shaped Catop- 
-terus. This remarkable species, as hitherto found, is from seven 
to near ten inches in length; width from half to three fourths of 
aninch. It has a finely forked and extended caudal fin of deli- 
cate structure ; a well extended dorsal ; and all the fins are fring- 
* The Palaeonisci are also found at Southbury, in the red sandstone basin of the 
Housatonic valley, as appears from some fragments obtained by Mr. J. H 
field ; but no distinguishable specimens have come under my observation. 
