84* 



Notice of a Fossil Fish. 



they refer we think in most cases to extinct species, and 

 in some, to extinct genera. 



But these together with other questions of equal interest, 

 Dr. Falconer will be able to determine on his return to 

 Europe, where he will have the ablest assistance in working 

 out the large collections which do him and his colleagues 

 at Seharunpore the highest degree of credit. 



In connection with these remarks, we may be allowed 

 perhaps to refer to the fossil described as the head of a 

 Batrachian by Dr. T. Cantor, in the Journal of the Asiatic 

 Society of Bengal, vol. VI. 1837, p. 538. We have care- 

 fully examined tjiis fossil with the assistance of Dr. Falconer, 

 and can answer for its being nothing more than the jaws, 

 the front part of the head, and branchial apparatus* of 

 a siluroid fish, not exceeding the dimensions which several 

 species of Siluridae are known to attain, both in India and 

 Europe. 



From the form of this fossil, as well as the number of 

 spines and shields of fishes that have been found in the 

 same field, it may be conceived to have approached nearest 

 to that genus of Siluridae, called Pimelodus ; although the 

 species is doubtless distinct from any living, or previously 

 noticed fossil species. The great distinguishing character 

 of the fossil, is the breadth and flatness of the head. We 

 have observed however, in the collection of Dr. Falconer, 

 several fragments indicating species of many of the same 

 genus, but none of them approaching in size to this fos- 

 sil. 



The muzzle is semicircular and flat, with several irregular ranges 

 of thinly scattered, conical, hooked teeth in both jaws. The two 

 branches of the lower jaw are firmly united to each other in front, 

 by means of broad articulating surfaces reflected backwards towards 



* The branchial apparatus 4, 5, C, Fig. C, which is characteristic of the real nature of 

 the fossil, was quite overlooked by Dr. Cantor. 



