Ill 



Family Ccpkaloptrritltr. 



561. A portion of the head of a large exotic Ray (Cephaloptera). 



It i* remarkable for the complete detachment of the anterior angle* of the pectoral tins 

 from the re*t of those members, and their attachment to the lateral production* of tbr wide 

 anterior rostral portion of the skull ; thus appearing to be cephalic fins, whence the name of 

 the genus. Each of these fins contains 26 jointed rays, which do not bifurcate until near 

 their extremities. The maxillary and mandibular arches present the form of flattened 

 transverse ban of cartilage covered by a pavement of minute ossicles : the dentary border* 

 are coated by a pavement of minute rhoroboidal flattened teeth. 



Pretexted by Prof. Owen, F.B.S. 



562. A portion of the skull of a Cephaloptera, showing the anterior dismember- 

 ments of the great pectoral fins, which are attached to the ends of the- 

 tympanic pedicles and to the sides of the rostral production of tin- skull. 

 The pavement of minute teeth is preserved on both jaws. 



Pntented by Dr. Biyclotc. 



MISCELLANEOUS AND UNDETERMINED. 



563. The glossohyal, or lingual plate, of the great Sudis (Arapaimn gigari) . its 



upper surface is beset with small granular toeth, and the Indians of South 

 America, to the great rivers of which this lish is peculiar, use this part of it 

 for a rasp. 



In Edwards'* ' Voyage to the Amazon River ' is the following reference to this part : "A 

 teaspoonful of Guarana grated into a tumbler of water makes a pleasant beverage, but when 

 drunk to excess its narcotic effects greatly injure the system. The grater used for this and 

 other purposes is the rough tongue-bone of one of the large river-fish." (p. 157.) 



H Hitman. 



564. Four epibrauchial bones and three pharyngo-branchials, supporting scries of 



small conical curved teeth with the same parts of the opposite side, of an 

 Osseous Fish. Jinn/trio*. 



