﻿OtV2 ACTIN OPTEKYG 1 1 . 



bones ornamented with stria) and granulations ; teeth robust, styli- 

 form, often constricted and somewhat tumid in the upper half, arranged 

 in single scries in the lower jaw. Fin-rays closely articulated and 

 distally bifurcating ; fulcra present on all the fins. Pectoral fins 

 of moderate size ; pelvic fins well developed. Dorsal fin very long, 

 extending at least from the middle point of the trunk to the base 

 of the caudal pedicle, high and acuminate in front, low and fringe- 

 like behind ; anal fin similarly shaped, but extending only opposite 

 the hinder half of the dorsal ; caudal fin deeply cleft, inequilobate. 

 Scales ornamented with tuberculations or short sinuous striae, with 

 smooth hinder border and very narrow overlapped anterior border ; 

 principal flank-scales much deeper than broad, with an anterior 

 inner keel and large peg-and-socket articulation ; dorsal and ventral 

 scales, and those of the caudal pedicle, at least as broad as deep, 

 with mesially placed peg-and-socket and feeble inner keel ; scales 

 of upper caudal lobe acutely lozenge-shaped. Well-developed ridge- 

 scales present only upon the upper caudal lobe. 



Mesolepis wardi, Young. 



(?) 1844. Pododus capitatus, L. Agassiz, Poiss. Foss. vol. ii. pt. ii. p. 163 



(name only). 

 1866. Mesolepis wardi, J. Young, Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc. vol. xxii. 



p. 313, pi. xxi. figs. 1, 3. 

 1875. Mesolepis wardi, J. Ward, [Proa] N. Staffs, Nat. Field Club, 



p. 234. 

 1890. Mesolepis wardi, J. Ward, Trans. N. Staffs. Inst. Mining Engin. 



vol. x. p. 181. 



Type. Fish wanting the pectoral and dorsal fins and part of the 

 head ; collection of John Ward, Esq., Longton. 



The type species, attaining a maximum length of about 0*15. 

 " Body ovate ; the posterior dorsal slope more rapid than that of 

 the anal region. Length of trunk, from pectoral to tail-root, nearly 

 twice its greatest depth. Caudal pedicle thick, elongate." Teeth 

 of lower jaw tumid distally. " Scales ornamented with tubercles, 

 more or less confluent into approximately vertical ridges." (Young.) 



Form, fy Loc. Coal-Measures : North Staffordshire and (?) York- 

 shire and Lanarkshire. 



P. 1609. Imperfect caudal and hinder abdominal region, wanting 

 the median fins, except a portion of the lower lobe of the 

 caudal, but displaying the pelvic fins with their ornamented 

 rays ; Knowles Ironstone Shale, Fenton. Egerton Coll. 



P. 1604. Two small groups of scales, doubtfully referable to this 

 species, one specimen being labelled Platysomus parvulus 

 by Agassiz ; Leeds. Egerton Coll. 



