GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE TERRITORIES. 369 



Cyprinidce. 



This is an extensive family of fresh-water fishes, among the least car- 

 nivorous of its class. It includes the carp, the gold-fish, the sucker, 

 &c. It is well represented by the remains of a number of extinct spe- 

 cies and genera in the tertiary deposit of Castle Creek, Idaho. 



mylocyprinus. 



An extinct genus, founded on numerous specimens of pharyngeal 

 bones, supporting strong grinding teeth, submitted to the investigation 

 of the author by Professor John S. Newberry. 



Mylocyprinus robustits. — The large size of the pharyngeal bones with 

 their robust grinders, looking like human premolar teeth, indicate a 

 species several feet in length. 



Cyprinodontidce. 



The living members of the cyprinodont family are small fishes, for 

 the most part inhabiting fresh water. 



OYPRINODON. 



This genus is represented by an abundance of remains, discovered, in 

 association with those of herrings, by Professor Hay den, in the tertiary 

 shales of Green River, Wyoming. 



Cyprinodon Levatus. — A small species, described by Professor Cope, 

 from specimens obtained from the locality just named. 



Clupeidce. 



The clupeoid family includes shad, herring, &c. 



CLTTPEA. 



Several species of herrings have left an abundance of remains in the 

 tertiary shales of Green River, Wyoming. The first of these fossils was 

 made known, to us in 1856 by the late I)r. John Evans. 



Clupea humilis. — This species is about three and a half inches in 

 length. 



Clupea pusilla. — A species about half the size of the preceding and 

 found with it described by Professor Cope. 



Squammipennes. 



A family of fishes characterized by the extension of scales on the 

 fins. To it belongs the curious Chcetodon rostratus of Java, which pos- 

 sesses the faculty of throwing a drop of water from its mouth, at an 

 insect, with unerring accuracy. 



ASINEOPS. 



An extinct genus, established by Professor Cope on abundance of 

 remains obtained by Professor Hayden in the tertiary shales of Green 

 River, Wyoming. 



Asincops squamifrons. — The species is about eight inches in length. 



PLAGOSTOMI. 

 This order includes the sharks and rays. 



SELACHII. 



The selachians, or sharks, have left a multitude of remains in some of 

 the marine tertiary formations of the West. From the miocene deposits 

 of Ocoya Creek, at the western base of the Sierra Nevada, California, a 

 24 g 



