160 J. W. Davis — On Ccelacanthus Phinipsii. 



supported by neural and haemal spines, interspinous bones, and 

 fin-rays. The spines at a distance of 0*160 m. from the extremity 

 of the anterior fin have a length of 0-050 m. ; further back they 

 decrease in length, and extend at a more acute angle with the axis 

 of the body. The proximal end of each spine is bifurcated and 

 broadly expanded for attachment to the cartilaginous column ; the 

 distal extremity is clavate with a flattened extremity. The proximal 

 extremities of the interspinous bones are similarly clavate, and the 

 flattened ends of each were joined together b}* a cartilaginous envelope. 

 The interspinous bones apparently thin out to a point in the opposite 

 direction, and the method of their attachment to the rays is not very 

 clear. The rays do not afford any evidence of the bifurcated 

 extremity embracing the interspinous bones, described by Agassiz 

 as pertaining to C. granulosus, but appear rather to form a sort of 

 splice with it. The fin-rays are articulated, and repeatedly bifurcate ; 

 their distal extremities are fine and slender. The posterior part of 

 the tail, as represented in this specimen, somewhat disturbed and 

 imperfect, indicates a breadth of 0460 m. The second expansion 

 of the caudal fin is not repi'esented. A number of neural and 

 hasmal rays occupy the space between the origin of those supporting 

 the tail and the margin of the baum-pot ; they are long and slender 

 and deeply bifurcated for attachment to the vertebral axis ; and the 

 rays are hollow, but to a less extent than those of Ccelacanthus 

 Tingleyensis. Davis, 1 which, however, are thicker in comparison to 

 their length than are these. Agassiz remarks that the caudal fin is 

 rounder than in Ccelacanthus granulosus, Agass. ; 2 but it is more 

 than probable that the round appearance of this specimen is due to 

 its imperfect preservation. 



A large number of scales are preserved ; those on the anterior 

 part are 0-100 m. in diameter, more or less circular behind, and 

 ornamented with raised lines of enamel where the external surface 

 is exposed. Most of the scales, however, are seen from the under 

 side, as the result of the manner in which the nodule has split, and 

 these exhibit a series of concentric lines parallel with their posterior 

 border. Amongst the scales are two or three dissociated plates 

 - 30 m. across, which are exposed on the under side, and covered 

 with concentric lines similarly to the smaller scales. The extension 

 of the vertebral axis posteriorly between and beyond the lobes of 

 the caudal fin is enveloped in smaller scales similar to those further 

 forward, but only about half the size. There is no trace of other 

 fins than the caudal. 



Otto M. Eeis, in a recently published memoir on " Die Ccelacan- 

 thinen," 3 has separated from the genus Ccelacanthus all those species 

 with striated scales which occur in the Coal-measures ; retaining 

 those from the Permian formations, with Ccelacanthus granulosus 

 (non granulatus), Agass., and C. Hassice, Miinst., as types, and 

 with them C. caudalis, Eg., and C. elongatus, Huxley. The species 

 excluded, viz. C. lepturus, Ag., C. elegans, Newb., C. ornatus, Newb., 



1 Trans. Linn. Soc. vol. ii. p. 427. 2 Poiss. foss. vol. ii. p. 172, pi. xlii. 



3 Palfeontographica, vol. xxxv. 1888. 



