346 



THE WONDERS OF GEOLOGY. Lect. IV. 



has a squamous appearance, owing to the separation 

 and partial exfoliation of the membranes of which its 

 walls are composed. Under the microscope, the rami- 

 fication of the vessels through these tissues is distinctly 

 seen. Cop?*olites (or fossil excrements), having a slightly 

 convoluted form, are often found with the remains of the 

 Macropoma.* 



37. BERYX ; AND OTHER FISHES OF THE CHALK. — It 



would require a separate work to notice in detail even my own 

 discoveries in this division of the fauna of the chalk ocean, 

 which comprise more than forty species. I must content 

 myself with briefly noticing some of the most interesting 

 examples, and referring to M. Agassiz's splendid volume, 

 in which all the chalk fishes known at the time of its 

 publication are beautifully figured, and philosophically 

 interpreted. But so rapid has been the progress of dis- 

 covery that many new genera have since been brought to 

 light. 



Certain fossil fishes closely allied to the Perch, were 

 my first treasures of this class, and are among the most 

 abundant of the Sussex ichthyolites. They belong to the 

 genus Beryx, of which there are two species now living in 

 the seas of Australia. Outliues of two of the most common 

 species of the Sussex and Kentish chalk, are given in Ligns. 

 75 and 76. The horny capsule of the globe of the eye is 

 often preserved in these fossils. f 



The annexed figures {Ligns. 72, 73, 74, 75, 76) are re- 

 stored outlines of seven of the Sussex ichthyolites, executed 

 by Mr. Joseph Dinkel, the eminent artist employed by 

 M. Agassiz.} 



* Consult Recherches sur les Poissons Fossiles, tome ii. part. 2de. 

 p. 174. 



f Medals of Creation, vol. ii. p. 659. 



X Mr. Dinkel now resides in London ; at 13, Great James-street, 

 Bedford-row. 



