18 
Elpisopholis Dunstani, 6p . 710V . 
Plate IV, Figs. 2-5. 
Obs. — This remarkable new species is represented in the collection by 
numerous fragments of fishes grouped together as if they had died in a shoal. 
The following are the more important specimens : — 
(a) Imperfect fish, the type specimen (PI. IV, Pig. 2). 
(b) Remains of two heads, one shown in side-view, the other from 
beneath (Pi. IV, Pig. 3). 
(r) Head and anterior portion of trunk, witli remains of other individuals, 
in counterpart. 
( d ) Head in side-view. 
(*°) Fragment of tail, probably of this species (PI. IV, Pig. 5). 
Sp. Char. — The type species, attaining a length of about 0T5 m. 
Length of head with opercular apparatus considerably exceeding the maximum 
depth of the trunk, which is contained about six times in the total length of 
the fish. External bones not ornamented. Pelvic fins arising slightly nearer 
to the pectorals than to the anal fin; dorsal and anal fins with about thirty 
rays, partly opposed. Scales apparently not ornamented. 
Ge/ieral Form . — The type specimen (PI. IV, Pig. 2) displays the 
general proportions of the trunk, with remains of its very slender upper 
caudal lobe. The same fossil also shows the obliquity of the mandibular 
suspensorium and enough of the head to estimate its length on the basis of 
other specimens. The result of measurements is given above, and a restored 
sketch of the fish is attempted in the accompanying text-figure. In several 
cases the head is exhibited from above or below, and thus appears to have 
been not much laterally compressed. 
Head . — The bones of the head and opercular apparatus are remarkably 
thin, and in the fossils they exhibit no markings except the concentric lines 
of growth. The oral border of the maxilla (PI. IV, Pig. 2, mx.) is slightly 
arched or sinuous, and its hinder expansion is about twice as long as deep. 
The mandible, which is fragmentary in the original of IT. IV, Pig. 3, is 
slender. The teeth of both jaws, seen chiefly in section and impression in 
Nos. b, d, are stout hollow cones, rather large, and nearly uniform in size, 
except where they diminish at the hinder end of the series. The opercular 
apparatus is narrow and tapers upwards. The outline of the operculum 
