§ 9- 



FISHES OF THE DEVONIAN SYSTEM. 



761 



formation below, nor in the Carboniferous rocks above ; nor, 

 except by distant and faint analogies with existing fishes, 

 can these remarkable organisms be brought within the pale 

 of zoological arrangement. These ichthyolites agree in 

 one general character, that of having relatively enormous 

 osseous or horny plates, or escutcheons. Their general 

 appearance will be understood by reference to Lign. 171, 

 172, which represent a remarkable specimen of the first- 

 named genus, discovered by Mr. Lyell. 



Cephalaspis. In the Old Red-sandstone underlying the 







i^ 









Lign. 171. — Cephalaspis Lyellii. 



From Glammis, in Forfarshire ; a fish peculiar to the Devonian system. 



{One-fourth the natural size.) 



carboniferous strata of Scotland, scales and other remains 

 of fishes were discovered many years since by Dr. Fleming. 

 These relics belong to the extraordinary genus of fishes, 

 named Cephalaspis (Buckler-head) by M. Agassiz, from 

 the head being covered by a buckler or shield, and the 

 plates united into one osseous case. The scales form 

 elevated bands, and the rays of the fins are covered by 



