BELOXOBHYXCHIDJE. 
11 
of any other ossification either in the opercular or branchiostegal 
membrane. 
The notochord is persistent, and there are no undoubted ossifi¬ 
cations in the notochordal sheath. The neural and haemal arches, 
however, are much expanded, the former united by zygapophyses 
and bearing short delicate spines, the latter in the caudal region 
symmetrical with the neurals. Long slender ribs are also observed 
in the Australian specimens. 
The paired fins are small, apparently exhibiting a very feeble 
lobation, and consisting of delicate rays. The clavicle is also 
relatively small and sickle-shaped, with a triangular plate affixed to 
its postero-inferior border; the pelvic fin-supports are unknown. 
The dorsal and anal fins exhibit a series of robust supports much 
less numerous than the dermal rays; and neither on these nor on 
any other fins are there indications of fulcra. 
The longitudinal series of dermal scutes, forming dorsal and 
ventral ridges and a support for the lateral line, are more or less 
A-shaped and deeply imbricating, sometimes broad and tuberculated, 
sometimes narrow and smooth. The ventral series divides to form 
a ring round the anus. The present writer has not observed any 
distinct evidence of intermediate scales or calcifications. 
The species of BelonorJiynchus are distinguished chiefly by differ¬ 
ences in the relative proportions of the head and trunk, in the form, 
proportions, and ornamentation of the head and scutes. 
Belonorhynchus striolatus, Eronn. 
1858. Belonorhynchus striolatus, H. G. Broun, Xeues Jahrb. p. 12, 
pi. i. figs. 1-10, pi. ii. fig. 1. 
1866. Belonorhynchus striolatus , R. Kner, Sitzungsb. k. Akad. Wiss. 
Wien, math.-naturw. Cl. vol. liii. pt. i. p. 189, pi. vi. 
1892. Saurichthys striolatus , 0. M. Reis, Geogn. Jahresh. 1891, p. 148, 
fig; *5. 
- Type. R early complete fishes. 
The type species, of small size, attaining a maximum length of 
about 0*15. Snout extremely attenuated, the head and opercular 
apparatus occupying about two-fifths of the total length; facial 
hones marked with prominent vertical striations ; operculum about 
as deep as broad. Space between the pectoral and pelvic fins more 
than twice as great as that between the latter and the anal. 
Scutes of dorsal and ventral series narrow and slender, much 
elongated on the caudal pedicle ; scutes of lateral line relatively 
small. 
Form. § Loc. L T pper Xeuper : Raibl, Carinthia. 
