36 UPPER CRETACEOUS TELEOSTS 
prezygapophyses and postzygapophyses are present on all of the neural arches. 
Above the anterior region of the vertebral column a noticeably expanded interneural 
element is present in the dorsal mid-line and appears to be associated with the neural 
spines of the first two precaudal vertebrae. Prominent antero-ventral transverse 
processes occur on the precaudal vertebrae with which the pleural ribs articulate. 
The ribs are long, slender, flattened and tapering. Each rib curves posteriorly and 
ventrally around the body cavity. 
The transverse processes begin to lengthen and extend ventrally at about the 14th 
precaudal vertebra. The ribs remain in articulation with the haemal arches of the 
first three or four caudal vertebrae, but these ribs are reduced in length. The haemal 
spines gradually lengthen on the first few caudal vertebrae. Ventral zygapophyses 
are present and increase in size in the caudal region. 
Intermuscular bones, both epineurals and epipleurals, are associated with the first 
25 vertebrae. The epineurals articulate with the neural arches anteriorly, but more 
posteriorly they shorten and the point of articulation is on the neural spine. An- 
teriorly the epipleurals attach to the ribs but in the caudal region they are associated 
with the haemal arches. 
Scales. The body is devoid of scales except for a single row along the lateral line. 
The scales do not overlap, and each is roughly rectangular in shape. The scales 
bear small posteriorly directed spines on their outer surfaces. On the caudal peduncle 
at the base of the caudal fin the spines become enormously enlarged and contiguous 
with one another forming a prominent flange. 
Suborder CIMOLICHTHYOIDEI 
DiaGnosis. Body never deepened but elongated to a greater or lesser extent. 
Parietals separated by the supraoccipital. Post-temporal fossa either roofed or un- 
roofed, but dilatator fossa always roofed. Orbitosphenoid and basisphenoid absent. 
Supraorbital occasionally present but no antorbital. Premaxilla prominent, 
toothed or untoothed but with no ascending process. Maxilla stout, either toothed 
or untoothed but always entering gape. Teeth present on the vomer and the 
endopterygoids. Interoperculum absent ; branchiostegal rays always numerous. 
Pelvic fins always abdominal, below dorsal fin. Dorsal fin more or less extended ; 
anal fin always small and remote, near to caudal fin. Vertebral elements incom- 
pletely fused, with epineurals and epipleurals in large numbers. Vertebrae variable 
in number with always less than half being caudal. Fins without spines. Caudal 
with 1g principal rays. Squamation variable, usually restricted in extent with the 
predominant scales triradiate. 
Family CIMOLICHTHYIDAE nov. 
DiaGnosis. Body fusiform, relatively shallow and only slightly elongated. 
Neurocranium shallow, acutely pointed anteriorly and only slightly elongated. 
Post-temporal fossa incompletely roofed. Jugular canal present in the prootic. 
Occipital condyle formed only of basioccipital. Maxilla stout and untoothed. 
