430 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE TERRITORIES. 



this genus than of either of the others above mentioned. It belongs in 

 any case to the same family group. The structure of the scales is suf- 

 ficient to determine this point. The whole of the scale is composed be- 

 tween the inferior and superior surface layers, of sub-hexagonal or 

 diamond-shaped cells, which are arranged in spirals tending to the 

 center. Their contents are more thoroughly calcified on the exposed 

 than in the concealed portion of the scale. Xo radial grooves. Tube 

 of the lateral line issuing by a round pore. 



OSTEOGLOSSUM ENCATJSTUM, (COPE;) Sp. nov. 



Eepresented by a portion of the side of a large individual, including 

 the series of scales bearing the lateral line, and three series above and 

 three below it, more or less perfectly preserved. The longitudinal 

 extent of the fragment includes seventeen transverse series. These 

 scales are of large size, the included portions are smooth to the naked 

 eye, but rugose under the microscope, and with but few and faint traces 

 of concentric lines. Exposed portions with entire margin, bearing a 

 large lenticular rugose surface. This rugosity consists of elevated 

 portions of an enamel-like material, between small pits and grooves. 

 The septa between the cells are distinctly visible on the smooth part of 

 the scale; on the rugose surface they are represented by grooves. The 

 cells are in curved series, which extend to the center of growth, growing 

 smaller as they converge. The rugose part of the exposed surface 

 diminishes in relative extent towards the anterior part of the body. 

 The tubes of the lateral line are in this species concealed beneath the 

 external layer of the scale. The opening is nearer the margin than the 

 center of the scale, is round, and is frequently accompanied by a smaller 

 one above and in front of it. 



Inches. 



Length of fifteen consecutive scales 0.23 



Depth of six longitudinal series scales 127 



Vertical diameter of a scale 035 



Transverse diameter of a scale 025 



Diameter of a submarginal scale cell , 003 



Width of rugose area of scale 011 



As compared with the species of the genus whose scales have been 

 figured, the present offers clear distinction. In O. bicirrhosum, figured 

 in Agassiz and Spix Brazilian fishes, Tab. XXV, the scales have distinct 

 concentric grooves, and the rugosity consists of a few points or pro- 

 jections. In O. formosum, figured in Solomon Miiller's travels in Borneo, 

 &c, the rugosity is uniform on the exposed surface and very minute, 

 and there are no concentric grooves j the cells are smaller. In Vastres 

 the exposed surfaces are still more rugose — in large examples, quite 

 honeycombed. 



The specimens represent an individual of three or four feet in length, 

 discovered at the fish-slate cut on the Green Biver, on the line of the 

 Union Pacific Bailroad, by Lucius E. Bicksecker, civil engineer. 



GENERAL OBSERVATIONS. 



The laminated rock from which the above species were obtained is 

 similar in general appearance to the clay beds of Mount Lebanon and 

 Mount Bolca. The first indication of the existence of this deposit was 

 brought by Dr. Jno. Evans, who obtained from it a clupeoid, which was 



