XXXIV PROCEEDINGS OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Ionia, consist of the usual parenchymatous tissue, but seems to he 

 composed of large quadrangular cells arranged in perpendicular 

 series," and as if " each minute column was confined within a slight 

 membrane or tube." 



Remarks were also sent us by Mr. Dawes on the structure of the 

 Calamite, which have, however, not been published in full, as sub- 

 sequent observations have afforded him additional evidence respect- 

 ing it. In the notice given in our * Journal,' he mentions circum- 

 stances which induce him to infer that the Calamites will serve to 

 connect three great classes of the vegetable kingdom. 



We have again to record the advance of our knowledge in fossil 

 fishes from the labours of Sir Philip Egerton, who has continued 

 with unabated zeal to cultivate this branch of Palaeontology. In the 

 communication entitled " Palichthyologic Notes, supplemental to 

 the works of Professor Agassiz," he points out that the study of fossil 

 fishes had not kept pace with the advance made in other departments 

 of palaeontology, notwithstanding the eminent success which attended 

 the labours of the Professor. He shows, by reference to the general 

 table of fossil fishes accompanying the last part of Professor Agassiz' s 

 work, and deducting the fishes of the old red sandstone, which have 

 been subsequently described, that 389 species, given in that table, 

 have neither been figured nor described. As the return of Professor 

 Agassiz to Europe would appear distant, Sir Philip Egerton intends 

 from time to time to communicate to our Society notices of fossil 

 fishes, which may be considered supplemental and auxiliary to the 

 works of the Professor, a resolve upon which we have great reason 

 to congratulate ourselves. 



The first notice was a paper by Sir Philip Egerton and ]\Ir. Hugh 

 Miller, and those who were present in this room when the communi- 

 cation was read, will not fail to recollect the beautiful paper model 

 made by the latter to illustrate the structure of that strange fish, 

 the Pterichthys, and the anxiety of the former to do justice to 

 the skill and perseverance with which INIr. Hugh Miller had laboured 

 at the fishes of the old red sandstone. In this notice, after mention 

 of previously known species, a new species, named Ptericfithys qua- 

 dratus by Sir Philip Egerton, is described and figured. The genus 

 Pamphractus, of Agassiz, is not considered well-founded, the speci- 

 mens which gave rise to it being portions of a Pterichthys. 



Sir Philip Egerton considers, with Agassiz, that the Pterichthys 

 was a ground fish, living on the mud and sand at the bottom of the 

 sea, and shows that from the true position of the parts of this fish, 

 as first shown by Mr. Hugh Miller, "the level ventral surface would 

 glide with the slightest impetus over the slimy bottom," while "at 

 the same time the vaulted carapace would afford a most effectual 

 buckler of defence against injury from external violence." A view. 

 Sir Philip observes, corroborated by a comparison with modern fishes 

 of similar habits, the Sturgeon, whose plates along the dorsal line 

 much resemble the central dorsal plate of Pterichthys, having strong 

 bony plates protecting their arched heads and bodies. 



In a paper on the supposed impression in shale of the soft parts 



