io8 ELOPIFORM FISHES 



point the border turns sharply antero-ventrally. Anteriorly and ventrally the tip 

 of the cleithrum is inwardly curved and meets its partner in the mid-line. 



Specimen B.M.N.H. P. 6456 shows fragmentary remains of the endochondral 

 elements. The scapula fails to enclose the scapular foramen, the outer (upper) 

 margin of this foramen being formed by the cleithrum. A notch in the posterior 

 border of the scapula marks the position of insertion of the outermost fin-ray. The 

 coracoid is incompletely known. Posteriorly this element appears to contact the 

 scapula laterally and mesocoracoid dorsally. Anteriorly it is in contact with the 

 cleithrum over a very small area. Much of the coracoid is separated from the cleith- 

 rum by a large fenestra. The mesocoracoid forms the mesocoracoid arch. The 

 bone is narrow in its centre, but dorsally it expands to spread over the medial surface 

 of the cleithrum, while ventrally it was in synchondral union with the scapula and 

 coracoid. 



There are approximately 15 pectoral fin-rays (as with other fins the exact number 

 cannot be ascertained) of which the outermost is distinctive in having a swollen base. 

 All rays are articulated and, except the first, are branched. A pectoral splint is 

 present. 



Pelvic girdle and fin. The pelvic fin, which originates mid- way between the snout 

 and caudal peduncle, is supported by a simple pelvic bone. Each pelvic bone is 

 triangular in shape and thickened posteriorly. The surface marking of the posterior 

 face suggests that it was covered by cartilage. The number and size of the pelvic 

 fin-rays is not known, Woodward (1908) stated that n rays were present but this 

 could not be verified. 



Vertebral column. Virtually nothing is known of the vertebral column. Wood- 

 ward (1901) quotes a rather wide range of 50-70 vertebrae, and this is all that may be 

 suggested with known material. The majority of the centra are as deep as long and 

 are marked laterally by a few longitudinal grooves. Exceptions to this general form 

 are the last few centra which are slightly longer than deep. 



The neural and haemal spines are stout and the arches are lodged in depressions 

 upon the centra. The abdominal centra bear autogenous parapophyses with which 

 the pleural ribs articulate. Dorsal (i.e. epineural) intermuscular bones are present 

 in the abdominal but apparently not in the caudal region. The absence of inter- 

 musculars in the caudal region may be apparent rather than real since in many 

 Recent teleosts the posterior intermusculars have no firm attachments to the ver- 

 tebral column and are often dislodged when the flesh is removed. 



Modification at the posterior end of the column in support of the caudal fin-rays 

 is dealt with in the description of the caudal fin. 



Median fins. The origin of the dorsal fin occurs mid-way between the snout and 

 the caudal peduncle. The base length of the fin is slightly greater than its height. 

 Woodward (1901 : fig. 2) illustrates 22 fin-rays but the specimens show a lower 

 count, 18-19, °f which the first three are unbranched and the first is not jointed. 

 The fifth ray is the longest of the series. 



The anal fin originates nearer to the caudal peduncle than to the pelvic fins. The 

 base length is almost equal to the length of the longest ray which is the first branched 

 and the fourth in a series of 14. The anterior two rays are not jointed. 



