On the Fossil Fishes of the Carboniferous Limestone Series of Great Britain. 353 
Genus—Asteroptychius, Agass, MS. 
Asteroptychius—L. Agassiz, 1833. “ Poiss. Foss.,” Vol. III., p. 176, indet. 
F. M‘Coy, 1854. “ Brit. Paleoz. Foss.,” p. 615. 
“ Bony fin ray, compressed, long, slender, gradually tapering to a point at the 
distal end, and abruptly tapering at the striated proximate end, or base of insertion ; 
sides moderately convex, converging to the anterior edge, which is strongly 
keeled ; posterior face with a moderate cavity, each lateral edge having a row of 
small teeth, directed upwards. Surface of the sides with several smooth, thread- 
like ridges, separated by broader, flat, longitudinally striated spaces, on which are 
regularly scattered smooth, spinous tubercles ”—(M‘Coy.) 
The spines constituting this genus were named by Prof. Agassiz, but were not 
described. The above description is taken from Prof. M‘Coy’s “Brit. Palzeoz. Fossils,” 
page 615. It is necessary to state, in addition to the above, that the internal cavity 
is terminal at the base, and not posteriorly open, as in the spines of Hybodonts 
generally. Several species of Asteroptychius have been described by American 
paleeontologists and in each case the base is unknown; perhaps this may be explained 
by the fact of the cavity being terminal, and the portion implanted in the body of 
the fish comparatively short. 
Asteroptychius ornatus, Agass. 
(Pl. XLVI, figs. 7-9.) 
Asteroptychius ornatus—L. Agassiz, 1837. ‘Rech. sur les Poiss. Foss.,” Vol. III.,p. 176, indet. 
_ 5 J. E. Portlock, 1843. “Rept. Geol. Londonderry, &c.,” p. 461. 
% s C. G. Giebel, 1848. “Fauna der Vorwelt,” Vol. I., pt. 3, p. 310. 
5 3 H. G. Bronn, 1848, “ Nomencl. Paleont.,” p. 123. 
es 3 es 1849. ‘“ Enumerator Paleont.,” p. 653. 
» semiornatus—F, M‘Coy, 1848. “Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist.,” 2nd ser., Vol. IL., p. 118. 
» ornatus— J. Morris, 1854. “Catal. Brit. Foss.,” p. 318. 
»  semiornatus— 3 1854. 5 - 6 p- 318. 
» ornatus—  F, J. Pictet, 1854. ‘“Traité de Paléont.,” Vol. II., p. 291. 
» semiornatus— a 1854, = 5 Vol. II., p. 291. 
» ornatus— FF. Moy, 1855. ‘Brit. Paleoz. Foss.,” p. 615, pl. 3 K, figs. 23, 24. 
» Semiornatus — rs 1855. . 9% % p- 616, pl. 3 K, fig. 22. 
», ornatus— Morris & Roberts, 1862. “Quart. Jour. Geol. Soc,” Vol. XVIII, p. 99. 
»)  semiornatus— “3 ry, 1862. 33 op $ 3 Wak SQyiih, i OY. 
»  ornatus— J.J. Bigsby, 1878. ‘Thesaurus Dev.-Carb.,” p. 347. 
» semiornatus— i 1878. 9 % .; Jd B48 
Spines, long, tapering, slightly curved, length varying from two to five inches. 
Specimen 4°5 inches in length, -4 inch in breadth near the base, tapers gradually 
and gently upwards to an acute point. Base slightly contracted in width, with 
finely striated surface. Transverse section triangular, two sides formed by the 
lateral surfaces which meet anteriorly with an acute angle, posterior surface, one- 
half the length of each anterior one, forms the base. Internal cavity, medium size, 
conforming generally in form to that of the outer walls, extends almost to the 
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