54 JOHAN KI^R. [SEC. ARCT. EXP. FRAM 



As is known, Osteolepis also belongs to the typical Middle Devonian 

 series of Old Red; as however the determination is somewhat uncertain, 

 no great stress can be placed upon it. 



In my opinion the knowledge conveyed in the above 

 indicates that the fish horizon at Skrap Valley cannot be 

 parallelled with Chemung but is of older Upper Devonian 

 age. As this horizon, according to PER SCHEI is situated in 

 the middle of Series E, we must assume that this series 

 with its continental facies commenced in the lowest part of 

 Upper Devonian. 



The higher fossiliferous horizons in Series E give less definite 

 indications of Upper Devonion age. The horizon in Bregnekleften too, 

 with its abundance of plant remains, which according to PER SCHEI is 

 contemporary with the dark schists of Galgeodden, with Bothriolepis, 

 cf. hydrophila Ac. and Glyptolepis, gives us in NaTHORST's opinion 

 no very definite determination of age. 



It is therefore not possible to determine with exactitude how high 

 up in the Upper Devonian Series E goes. It is very probable that this 

 continental period lasted there until the end of the Devonian age, and 

 possibly eve.n until the Lower Carboniferous. 



Unfortunately PER SCHEI had no opportunity of closely examining 

 the profiles which beyond question are the decisive factor in this problem, 

 viz. the profiles northwards to Great Bear Gape, where the abundant 

 marine carboniferous fauna were discovered. 



Zoogeographical Conditions. 



The fauna of Series E is also interesting in another respect, for 

 most of its elements are found to be more closely related to European 

 forms then to forms previously known from America 1 . 



The genus Psammosteus is thus completely unknown in North 

 American Devonian deposits, both marine and continental. On the other 

 hand it is very common in N. W. Russia and has also been found in 

 N. Scotland and on Spitzbergen. 



The determinable and small Bothriolepis differs from known American 

 species, but is identical with or at least very nearly related to B. 

 hydrophila AG. from Scotland. 



1 Vide in particular: A. SMITH WOODWARD, Catalogue of Foss. Fishes in the British 

 Museum. II. 

 CH. R. EASTMAN, Dev. Fishes of Iowa. Faunal Lists, Page 275. 



