() PROCEEDINGS OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. [April 18, 



Pal^oniscus macrophthalmus, 



M. Althaus has a specimen from the Kupferschiefer of Richelsdorf 

 thus named. I am unable to ascertain whether it is considered iden- 

 tical with the species so named by Agassiz, from the magnesian lime- 

 stone of this country, or whether the name has been given in ignorance 

 of its previous application. 



Pal^oniscus megacephalus, Germar. 



A species of PalcEoniscus from the Kupferschiefer of Mansfeld 

 with this name, is figured and described by Kiirtze in his ' Commen- 

 tatio de petrifactis quae in schisto bituminoso Mansfeldensi reperiun- 

 tur.' I am inclined to think it is founded on imperfect specimens of 

 PalcBoniscus Freiesleheni crushed vertically, thus giving an incorrect 

 idea of the size of the head . 



Pal.5;oniscus pygm^eus. 



M. Hermann von Meyer has given this designation to a small Pa- 

 Iceoniscus of the Kupferschiefer which will be described in an early 

 number of the ' Palseographica.' 



(New Species.) 



Pal.eoniscus Beatjmonti, Ag. Pl. I. figs. 5, 6. 



This is the largest and finest species of the genus. The most per- 

 fect example I have seen was presented to Lord Enniskillen by the 

 Baron de Ponsort, and was found in the coal shale at Autun. It 

 measures thirteen inches in length by four in depth. In shape and 

 appearance, if we except the heterocerque tail, it is not unlike some 

 species of Lepidotus. The head is unfortunately so much dislocated 

 that its form and proportions are not recognizable. Some of the de- 

 tached bones are elaborately ornamented with a labyrinthine pattern. 

 The scales vary much in size and form in different regions of the body. 

 Those on the flanks immediately below the lateral line are the largest, 

 whence they decrease in size above and below. In the vicinity of the 

 dorsal, ventral and anal fins they are narrow oblongs; on the tail they 

 are lozenge-shaped, elongating gradually as they approach its termi- 

 nation. They differ from those of every other species in the charac- 

 ter of the exterior surface. Those immediately succeeding the thorax 

 have from fifteen to twenty oblique parallel striae on the middle of the 

 scale, terminating in sharp points at the distal margin, but the upper 

 and lower angles of the scales have; no serrations. The latter cha- 

 racter encroaches more and more upon the central portion, in the 

 scales on the back and tail, until the strise and serrations altogether 

 disappear, and the scale becomes smooth on the surface and entire at 

 the margin. The same change of character obtains more slowly on 

 the ventral region, so that a few serrations are observable as far back 

 as the anal fin. The fins are of moderate size with the exception of 

 the caudal, which is v§ry long and strong. Its upper margin is 

 roofed with a series of latge, solid, arrow-headed scales, and the lobe 



