ROOM V. SYNOPSIS OF CONTEXTS. 411 



A most interesting collection of fossil Cephalopoda occupies 

 the Table-cases on the north side ; it includes many rare and 

 beautiful specimens of Belemnites, Belemnoteuthis, Ammon- 

 ites, Nautili, <fcc. 



It is impossible within the prescribed limits of this volume 

 to do justice to the vast and important assemblage of fossil 

 remains which this room contains, and I am compelled to 

 restrict myself to a rapid survey of the most interesting 

 objects. I subjoin for the aid of the scientific visitor a list 

 of the principal genera of Ichthyolites of which there are 

 specimens in the collection ; as my descriptions must neces- 

 sarily be of a very general nature. * The subjects will be treated 

 of under the following heads : viz. I. Synoptical view of the 

 Contents of Koom V. II. Fossil Fishes of the Ganoid Order. 

 III. Ctenoid, Cycloid, and Placoid Fishes. IV. Fossil Mam- 

 malia; Khinoceros, Irish Elk, Sivatherium, &c. V. Fossil 

 Cephalopoda. 





ROOM V. 



(56 feet long.) 



SYNOPSIS OF CONTENTS. 

 ORGANIC REMAINS. 



THE Wall-cases from A to D, inclusive, are filled with the 

 rich and well-arranged collection of Fossil Fishes; M. Agassiz's 

 classification is adopted. 



"They are divided into four orders, viz. the Placoids, Ganoids, 

 Ctenoid* and Cycloids. The first of these orders comprises 

 fishes mostly of considerable dimensions, and whose skeletons, 

 by reason of their soft cartilaginous nature, are less en- 

 during than those of the osseous fishes ; their fossil remains, 

 therefore, generally occur as detached scales, spines, teeth, 

 palates, and fins, some of which, being small objects, are 

 arranged in the Table-cases. The remaining three orders, 

 demanding ample space, are placed in the upright Wall- 

 cases. The red figures on the labels of the genera refer to the 

 larger suspended boards bearing the names of the orders and 

 families ; but the names of the species are written on labels 

 variously tinted, in accordance with the coloured tablets 



1 I would refer the reader wholly unacquainted with Fossil Ichthyology, 

 to my " Medals of Creation," chap. xv. 



