190 Zoological Society of London. 



III. — Zoological Society of London. 



December 7th, 1886.— Prof. W. H. Flower, LL.D., F.E.S., Presi- 

 dent, in the chair. — The following communication was read : — 



'' On the Anatomy and Systematic Position of the Liassic Selachian, 

 Squaloraja polyspondi/la, Agass." By A. Smith Woodward, F.G.S. 



After a brief notice of previous researches, the author attempted 

 an almost complete description of the skeletal parts of Squaloraja, 

 as revealed by a fine series of fossils in the British Museum. He 

 confirmed Davies' determination of the absence of the cephalic spine 

 in certain individuals (presumably females), and added further 

 evidence of its prehensile character, suggesting, also, that the various 

 detached examples afforded indications of one or more new species. 

 The cartilages of the skull were, as far as possible, described in 

 detail, and special attention directed to the palatine region, which 

 appeared remarkably similar to that of the Myxinoids : there is a 

 long forwardly-directed process on either side, evidently represent- 

 ing a pre-palatine element, and if the conclusions suggested by the 

 present genus can be substantiated by an examination of other forms, 

 the Selachian antorbital cartilage must fall under the denomination of 

 post-palatine. A well-marked hyomandibular was noted, resembling 

 that of typical Bays ; and each ramus of the jaw was shown to be 

 provided with a single dental plate, exhibiting the ordinary Selachian 

 mode of growth, and having the grinding surface rendered more 

 efficient by a series of longitudinal rugas ; to the latter there pro- 

 bably correspond some slight sutures, which allow of the shedding 

 of the outer edge at intervals during growth. The pectoral fin 

 shows but two basal cartilages, the preaxial being only about one- 

 fourth the size of the postaxial ; and the pectoral girdle is of the 

 Kay-type. The pelvic girdle is remarkable for the enormous size of 

 the prepubic process, and there appear to have been no sutures in 

 the basal cartilage of the pelvic fin, which passes, in the male, 

 directly into the large clasper of either side. The author concluded 

 with some general remarks on the affinities of the genus, and pro- 

 posed to institute the new family of Squaloraiidge, which may be 

 placed near the Pristiophoridse and Rhinobatidge, and is conveniently 

 defined as follows : — Body scarcely depressed, elongate. Head pro- 

 duced into a long flat rostrum, without lateral teeth. Males with a 

 prehensile spine on the upper part of the snout. Dentition sharply 

 divided at the symphysis. Pectoral fins with small propterygium, 

 free. 



C OS/iaiElS I=0 n^IDS IsTC IE . 



GLACIATED AND FACETTED BOULDERS IN THE PUNJAB. 

 SiR^ — The statement of the case of the glaciated (?) rock -fragments 

 of the Punjab has been thus far all from one side. As the " arch- 

 heretic " who ventured to suggest that the four " Indian geologists," 

 who took part in the discussion of the subject at Birmingham, had 

 overlooked some important physical agencies, when they asserted 



