76 Recherches sur les Poissons Fossiles. 



The annexed fig. represents the large scales on the flanks. 



Examples of the scales of all the different 

 species of the family are given by M. Agas- 

 siz. but this single instance of their re- 

 markable forms, as compared with the 

 scales of fishes of the present day, may 

 be quite sufficient to mark the peculiarity 

 of these interesting fossils. 

 Pholidophorus latus, PI, III. This we have taken as an ex- 

 ample of another genus, of the family Lepedoides, nearly al- 

 lied to the last, for the purpose of shewing the somewhat 

 magnified representation of the scales, fig. 2, 3, and the ar- 

 ticulations of rays of the caudal fin also enlarged, fig. 4. 

 This specimen is from Eichstadt, and is taken from an 

 example in the collection of Count Munster. This genus 

 is characterised by the small dorsal placed opposite to 

 the ventrals ; caudal forked, equal lobes, scales extended 

 slightly on the base of the upper lobe : teeth crowded. 

 Seven species are described by M. Agassiz from the lias of 

 Lyme Regis in England, of Seefeld, Sohlenhofen, and of 

 Oberland on the continent. 



It is impossible to view the drawing of the species we 

 have here introduced from M. Agassiz's work, without being 

 struck by the great general resemblance to the existing 

 form of Cyprinus, nor can we contemplate the great differ- 

 ence in all the details of structure which Cyprinus and Pho- 

 lidophorus present under the same general form, without 

 referring them to something like corresponding types in two 

 distinct orders or groups. It is to be hoped that as in the 

 case of Dapedius, M. Agassiz may be able to trace the form 

 of the stomach in the genus Pholidophorus also, and ascer- 

 tain if that organ be provided with cecal appendages, the 

 absence of which, as well as of teeth, constitute the chief 

 distinguishing character of Cyprinus. 



