240 NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE COAL FOSSILS. 



are teeth of a larger size. The opercular plates are narrow, 

 rounded behind, and covered with fine, radiating striae. 

 The branchiostegal rays are eight in number. The most 

 distinctive character of this species is found in the scales. 

 They are solid and of a rhomboidal form, and covered with 

 short ridges or tubercles on the anterior and dorsal margins- 

 On the posterior margin these ridges are longer and more 

 strongly defined, and terminate into sharp cusps on the 

 posterior or free margin. This style of ornamentation differs 

 from that of any other species of Palaeoniscus which we 

 are acquainted with. 



Position and locality : Ash coal shale, Longton, Feiiton. 

 GENUS CYCLOPTYCHIUS, HUXLEY. 



Cycloptychius carbonarius, Huxley. (Ref, Brit. Ass. 

 Report, vol. xxxv., p. 313, Geol. Mag., I. vol. Dec. 2.) 

 This beautiful genus was first discovered by Mr. Molyneux, 

 F.G.S., in the Deep mine ironstone, Longton. The average 

 length of the fish is from four to five inches ; its greatest- 

 depth is at the shoulders : from this point the body gradually 

 tapers towards the tail. The body is covered with thin 

 scales, cycloidal anteriorally, more pointed posteriorally. * 

 The free surface of the scales is ornamented with fine, 

 raised ridges, running parallel with the margins of the 

 scale. In some of them it is zig-zagged. On the back 

 and belly the scales are much smaller than those on the 

 sides of the fish. The head is broad and stout in proportion ; 

 the surface is ornamented with fine tubercles. The jaws are 

 armed with slender, conical, sharp-pointed teeth of two sizes. 

 The pectoral and ventral fins are small, the former with 



* Professor Traquair describes the scales as rhomboidal. Geol. Mag , vol. 

 or 1874. 



