Vol. 55.] AMIA FROM THE ISLE OF WIGHT. 7 



left upon the clay shows this to have been ornamented with very 

 fine lines (12 to 14 in a millimetre), which, radiating from near the 

 posterior pointed end, curve gently outward and forward, running 

 nearly parallel with the margins, but apparently terminating suc- 

 cessively upon the margins. On close examination this ornamenta- 

 tion is seen to consist of a series of grooves separated by sharp 

 ridges. The under surface of the scale has a distinct smooth margin, 

 within which it is granulated. 



Three very similar scales (PL I, figs. 19-21) were found by 

 Mr. Colenutt in Bed 3 of the King's Quay section, and probably 

 belong to the present species. They vary in size, and are not quite 

 so pointed posteriorly as the scale above described; but the orna- 

 mentation is the same, and the lines show a tendency to converge 

 towards the anterior part. The scales ot Amia Kehreri figured by 

 Prof. Andreae ^ have a very similar form and structure. 



Besides the two specimens just described, each of which includes 

 several parts of the fish, Mr. Colenutt has obtained numerous 

 isolated bones, from the Bembridge Marls of Thoruess Bay and of 

 Hamstead, as well as from Beds 2, 3, & 5 of the Osborne Series 

 of King's Quay. Some of these jaws and scales have been figured 

 and alluded to above, as supplying details which were wanting in 

 the two more perfect examples. That the specimens vary much in 

 size is evident from the figures of the dentary bones (PL I, figs. 4, 

 15, 16 & 17), and a similar variation occurs among the vertebrae ; 

 but otherwise there is so close a resemblance among them that in 

 the present state of our knowledge they can only be referred to one 

 species. 



The vertebrae of the specimens above described agree very well 

 in size and form with those to which Leidy gave the name of 

 Protamia media, and still better with those which Cope referred 

 doubtfully to the same species ; but the peculiarities of these 

 vertebrae are found in all these Amia-like forms, and seem to point 

 to a close generic affinity, and not to specific identity. 



A satisfactory comparison of fragmentary bones is difficult ; but, 

 so far as it has been possible to make comparison, the English 

 specimens do not seem to agree precisely with any of the American 

 species. The forms of the maxillae and dentary bones are different, 

 and the external sculpturing is not alike. The same may be said 

 with regard to the Amia Kehreri from Messel, for although there is 

 a great similarity there is not identity of form. 



The proportionately greater width of the anterior vertebrae, which 

 has been held to be sufficient for a generic separation from Amia 

 calva, will prevent these fossils from being referred to that living 

 species. 



It is proposed to name this Isle of "Wight ganoid Amia anglica, 

 and it will be distinguished, in so far as its characters are at present 



1 Abb. Senckenb. naturf. Gesellsch. vol. xviii (1894) p. 359 & pi. i. 



