42 
eel-shaped, but somewhat thick and clumsy. The body is 
covered with large cycloid scales. Dr. Giinther considers 
that the specimens examined by him indicate two species, 
viz., Geratodus Forsteri with fewer and larger, and C. 
miolepeis with smaller and more numerous scales. 
Skeleton. — The vertebral column is notochordal, and its 
processes more or less cartilaginous. The brain-case is 
unossified, but protected by thin bony plates as in the 
Sturgeons. The fore and hind paddles (pectoral and ventral 
fins) are supported by a jointed cartilaginous rod, as in 
Lepidosiren, but unlike the paddles of Leindosiren, each 
joint bears a pair of three, two, or one-jointed branches. 
Limbs. — The fore and hind paddles have scaly centres 
surrounded by a rayed fringe, as in the fishes which compose 
Huxley's sub-order Crossopterygii of Ganoid Fishes. 
Teeth. — The palate is armed with two large dental plates, 
punctated on the surface, and undulating in such a way 
that the projections and depressions fit exactly into the 
depressions and projections of two similar dental plates in 
the lower jaw. Five or six sharp prongs project on the 
outer side of the dental plates. Two small incisors are 
situated upon the palatal surface of the vomer. In all 
respects the teeth resemble those of the fossil Geratodus, and 
less closely with those of Leindosiren. Professor Owen long 
ago remarked the resemblance between the teeth of the 
two genera, Geratodus and Lepidosiren* The exact cor- 
respondence in dental structure and arrangement of the 
Barramundxi and the fossil Geratodus has satisfied Dr. 
Giinther of their generic identity. 
Intestine. — A spiral valve is present, as in Ganoids and 
Elasmobranchii. 
Eespiratory Organs. — A narrow slit on the side of the 
head opens to the gills, which are four in number on each 
* Odontograpliy. Comp. Anatomy of Vertebrates, I, 369. 
