36 Fossil Fishes. 



this number belong to two only of the above-mentioned orders, 

 namely, Cycloides and Ctenoides, whose presence has not been dis- 

 covered in the rock formations below chalk. The other fourth part 

 of living species is referable to the orders Placoides and Ganoides, 

 which are now far from numerous, but which existed during the 

 whole period which elapsed since the earth began to be inhabited, 

 to the time when the animals of the greensand lived. The remark- 

 able conclusion to which M. Agassiz had come from the study of 

 more than 600 fossil fishes on the Continent, has been corroborated 

 by the inspection of more than 250 new species, found in the British 

 collections. 



In the first, second and third numbers, there are descriptions and 

 admirable figures of genera and species of the different orders, both 

 Continental and British. General discussions also occur; one in 

 particular we recommend to the attention of our readers, viz. that on 

 the colors and scales of fishes. 



The fourth number contains a critical review of the numerous 

 tribes of fossil fishes found in the famous Monte Bolca, and a tabu- 

 lar view of the fishes of the chalk formation. M. Agassiz, in the 

 same number, informs us that he obtained vast additions to his for- 

 mer stores in the British collections, of which the following are noti- 

 ced : viz. British Museum, Museum of the Geological Society of 

 London, of the College of Surgeons, and of the United Service 

 Club ; the beautiful collection of Mrs. Murcheson ; the cabinets of 

 Messrs. Lyell, Stokes, Fitton, Sharpe, Yarrell, and Richardson ; all 

 in the vicinity of London. Great additions were obtained from the 

 collection of Dr. Buckland, and the splendid cabinets of Sir Philip 

 Egerton and Lord Cole. The fine collection of Mr. Witham, and 

 the Museums of Whitby, Scarborough, York, Leeds, Birmingham, 

 Liverpool, Bristol, also proved productive sources of new and inter- 

 esting species. The private collections of Miss Philpot and Mr. 

 Cumberland, and the well known museum of Dr. Mantell, contribu- 

 ted an ample supply of species entirely new to M. Agassiz. At 

 Edinburgh the collections of the Royal Society and the College Mu- 

 seum ; the cabinets of Professor Jameson, Lord Greenock, Dr. Hib- 

 bert. Dr. Traill, Mr. Copland, and Mr. James Torrie, proved not 

 less interesting than those visited by our author in England and Ire- 

 land. After enumerating the above and other collections in very 

 courteous terms, he adds the following observations. 



