DEVONIC FISHES OF THE NEW YORK FORMATIONS 79 



they bear considerable resemblance to the spines described as Phlyctaena- 

 canthus and Apateacanthus. Considering the uncertain status of these 

 and similar " genera " founded upon isolated fragments, it hardly appears 

 advisable to change their provisional designations in those cases where 

 they happen to be preoccupied. 



Acantholepis fragilis Newberry 



Plate 3, figure 1 



1857 Oracanthus fragilis, O. granulatus, and O. abbreviatus J. S. 



Newberry. Nat. Inst. Proc. n. s. i: 126 

 1875 Acantholepis pustulosus J.S.Newberry. O. Geol. Sur. Rep't, v. 2, 



pt 2, p. 38, pi. 56, fig. 1-6 

 i88g Acantholepis pustulosus J. S. Newberry. U. S. Geol. Sur. Monogr. 



1 6 ■•34, pl- 31, fig- S 

 1889 Eczematolepis pustulosus S. A. Miller. North Am. Geol. & Pal. 



p. 586, text fig. 1098 

 1891 Acantholepis pustulosus A. S. Woodward. Cat. Foss. Fishes Brit. 



Mus. pt 2, p. 129 



Detached spines sometimes attaining a length of 25 cm and exhibiting 

 the characters of the genus. Inserted portion not observed, but some 

 specimens show indications of having been expanded laterally at the base, 

 as well as produced in an anteroposterior direction. Evidence is lacking 

 that the spines occurred in pairs, or were serially arranged. 



According to Professor Newberry, the exserted portion of the spine is 

 peculiar in being composed of two pieces which are united by an oblique 

 suture, certainly a most unusual condition amongst ichthyodorulites. Only 

 one of Newberry's originals, however, is known to have shown this feature, 

 and as none have been observed elsewhere, it is perhaps open to doubt 

 whether the exceptional spine was entirely normal in this respect. The 

 confirmation of other specimens would certainly be desirable before admit- 

 ting the segmented character of the base. 



Fragmentary spines apparently referable to this species have been col- 

 lected by Mr F. K. Mixer and Dr H. U. Williams from the Onondaga 

 limestone near Buffalo, and numerous examples have been obtained from 



