74 GANOID FISHES OF THE CARBONIFEROUS FORMATION. 



8. Elonichthys microlepidotus, Traqnair. PUte XII, figs. 9, 10. 



Elonichthys MiCEOLEPiDOTiTS, Traquair. Geol. Mag. (3), vol. iii, 1886, p. 441. 



— — Ward. Trans. N. Staffs Inst. Mining Engin., 



vol. X (1890), p. 174, pi. vi, fig. 1. 



— _ ^. s. Woodward. Cat. Foss. Fishes Brit. Mus., 



pt. ii, 1891, p. 500. 



Specific Characters. — Scales small, maiked externally by only a few strong ridges 

 passing horizontally, or with only a slight obliquity, across the surface ; fins large. 



Description. — I have only seen two specimens of this interesting form, both of which 

 were collected by Mr. Ward, and are now in the British Museum. 



The length of the more perfect of the two (PI. XII, fig. 9) is 3f inches, but as it is 

 broken off immediately behind the anal fin, we may justly estimate the original length 

 of the fish about 5 inches. The external markings of the head bones are not well seen, 

 except in the case of the lower jaw, which is ornamented by wavy longitudinal branching 

 and anastomosing ridges. In this specimen the mouth is wide open, as is also the gill- 

 cleft, owing to the drawing forward of the suspensorium ; the opercular bones are rather 

 narrow, and beneath them and the mandible about ten of the branchiostegal rays may 

 be observed. As to the scales (fig. 10), I know no species of this genus in which they 

 are so small in proportion to the size of the fish. Their markings consist only of a few 

 strong ridges passing across the scale from front to back, either horizontally or with a 

 slight obliquity, and in some cases branching or uniting with each other. I see no 

 evidence of any denticulation of the hinder marghis of the scales. 



Only the base of the pectoral fin is seen, its rays being rather slender, and I think in 

 the front part of the fin articulated up to their origins. The other fins are large, and 

 have the form and relative position characteristic of this genus. The rays are very 

 numeroiis, fine, and closely set ; their joints longer than they are broad, and their 

 surfaces show traces of fine longitudinal striation. 



Observation. — The relative smallness of the scales, and their peculiar simple, bold 

 ornament, distinguish this species from any other with which I am acquainted. 



Geolo(/ical Position and Locality. — Knowles Ironstone Shale, Longton, Staffordshire. 

 The only two specimens as yet known are in the Ward Collection in the British 

 Museum. 



9. Elonichthys Binnhyi, Traquair. Plate XVII, figs. 8—10. 



Elonichthys Binneyi, Traquair. Geol. Mag. (3), vol. v, 1888, p. 251. 



— — A. S. Woodward. Cat. Foss. Fislies Brit. Mus., pt. ii, 



1891, p. 499. 



— — Wellburn. Proc. Torks. Geol. and Poljt. Soc, vol. xiii, 



p. 427, pi. Ixii, figs. 1, 2. 



