Cretaceous Fishes from Mount Lebanon. 487 



however, in the light of present knowledge, readily explains 

 it. The upper part of the figure represents the two splenial 

 bones crushed together and exposed from their oral face. 

 Two of the longitudinal series of teeth are shown on each 

 element, and these together constitute the so-called four rows 

 of palatal teeth of Pictet and Davis. To the left, and mostly 

 below the splenials, the imperfect cranium is displayed in 

 right side view, its snout pointing upwards. The mesethmoid 

 and vomer are distinguishable, and on the edge of the latter 

 is exposed one of the lateral series of small teeth, which is 

 described by Pictet and Davis as pertaining to the mandible. 

 The cranial roof-bones are shown to be ornamented with 

 tubercles, and the top of the brain-case bears the characteristic, 

 laterally-compressed, forwardly-directed spine. There is 

 also a prominent ornamented angle at the occiput. The 

 pectoral arch is vertically crushed, but obscured by the skull 

 on the left side. On the right the anteriorly-directed spine 

 of the clavicle is distinct, while on the left it seems possible 

 to recognize parts of the two posteriorly-directed spines of 

 the same element. Although Pictet mentions " vertebra? 

 deformed by fossilization," there are no traces of vertebral 

 centra in the anterior part of the abdominal region preserved ; 

 but the neural spines are shown to be fused with their 

 somewhat expanded arches. There are no indications of 

 scales or scutes. 



3. Osmeroides megapterus, Pictet, op. cit. p. 27, pi. iii. fig. 3. 

 This species is founded on a specimen much too imperfect 

 for precise determination and not exhibiting even so important 

 a feature as the mouth. The suboperculum is rather large, 

 and beneath it there are remains of seven branchiostegal 

 rays, all comparatively slender, none laminar in form. The 

 vertebral column is still more bent and broken than indicated 

 in the figure, so that the abdominal region is much distorted 

 and the number of vertebra? cannot be determined. There 

 seem to be about 20 or 22 caudal vertebra?. As observed by 

 Pictet, there are no traces of the pectoral fins j but the pelvic 

 fins are relatively large, each comprising at least six stout 

 rays, all of which are articulated and divided distally. The 

 very slender pelvic fin-supports are seen in front, though not 

 shown in the figure. The dorsal fin is situated rather far 

 forwards, and seems to consist of 10 or 12 rays. The foremost 

 ray preserved is probably short and spinous, but all the 

 others are divided distally and with distant articulations. 

 The fin-supports are very stout and dagger-shaped. The 

 remains of the comparatively small anal fin comprise only 

 6 or 7 rays, which are similarly divided and articulated. 

 The large scales are thick, smooth, and shining. 



