FOSSIL FISH. 423 



CoTTus. Under the name of Cottus bicornis, Volta has 

 established a new species in this genus, on an ichthyoUte in 

 such a state^ that it would have been much better to have said 

 nothing about it. 



GoBius. G. Smyrnensis of Volta, is exactly in the same 

 predicament as the last. 



G, barbatus and G. Veronensis, Volta, are two ichthyolites 

 in a skeleton state, nearly perfect, indicating very probably a 

 species of this genus, and very probably the same ; the general 

 form of the body, head, and caudal fin of Gobius are to be 

 recognized, but it is very difficult to pronounce upon the 

 species. 



Blochius. B. longirostris^ Volta. One of the most singu- 

 lar fishes of this locality, and found, as it would appear, in great 

 abundance. It is remarkable for its great length, sometimes 

 attaining to nearly three feet; for its slenderness, and its 

 general form, which approximates to ammodytes, with this 

 essential difference, that it appears to have small ventral fins 

 under the throat ; its head is terminated by a very long and 

 pointed muzzle, and there is no trace of teeth. Volta makes 

 a genus of it. 



Callionymus. Call. Vestencs, Volta. This fossil appears 

 evidently to belong to a different species from all the rest in 

 this locality. The body is narrow and elongated, and terminated 

 by a caudal fin, with a pretty deep bifurcation : this character 

 is never found in the genus to which it has been referred. 

 There is but one dorsal fin, pretty long, and opposed to the 

 anal, which is of the same form and parallel with it ; there are 

 scarcely any traces of pectoral or ventral fins in the figure, but 

 on the ichthyoUte they may be observed, but very small. It 

 is difficult to determine the genus of this fossil, but assuredly 

 it does not belong to Callionymus. 



Gadus. Gadus merluccius, Volta. This may be a Gadus, 

 but it is difficult, if not impossible, to determine the species. 



Blennius. B. cuneiformisy De Blain. B, ocellaris, Volta. 



