SIXTEENTH ORDINARY MEETINa. 121 



Yoi'k, and Ohio. The specimen in question, M. sulcatus, is ten and 

 a-half inches in length, about an inch wide, and two-thirds of an 

 inch deep. Its original length, however, may have been fourteen 

 or fifteen inches. It is grooved longitudinally upon one side, smooth 

 and keeled on the other. 



Symmetrical spines like Pleuracanthus were, doubtless, implanted 

 in the flesh, in front of the dorsal fins ; but the asymmetrical forms 

 were, in all probability, imbedded in the integuments, before the 

 pectoral fins. 



Judging from pieces of shagreen found with the spines, and the 

 total absence of traces of a long skeleton, we may fairly conclude 

 that these were the defensive weapons of very large sharks, which 

 must have been formidable indeed. 



Mr. Dale mentioned a spine somewhat similar, which he 

 had found in marl, in New Jersey, and drew attention to the 

 mode of attachment of the spines, by which they were held 

 erect. 



Mr. Boyle having asked as to the traces of shagreen in the 

 rocks at St. Mary's, Mr. Lennox replied that they were found 

 in patches, five or six inches square. 



Mr. Livingstone suggested a theory that the carboniferous 

 had something to do with the destruction of these fish, and 

 that coal was the result of solidification of coal oil. 



Mr. Macdougall, Mr. Notman, and Mr. Murray, made some 

 remarks, and the President noted the great interest of a 

 discovery of remains of sharks at so remote a period. 



SIXTEENTH ORDINARY MEETING. 



The Sixteenth Ordinary Meeting of the Session i884-'85, 

 was held on Saturday, February 28th, 1885, the President in 

 the Chair. 



The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. 



It was moved by Mr. Vandersmissen, seconded by Dr. 

 Kennedy, and resolved, — " That the following gentlemen be a 



