Jump to content

Geology and Mineralogy considered with reference to Natural Theology/Plate 27

From Wikisource

Plate 27. V. I. p. 205.

Figs. 1—8. Tubercles and Scales, illustrating the four new Orders of Fishes, established by Professor Agassiz. (Agassiz.)

Fig. 8. a. Tube on the under surface of a scale for the passage of the mucous duct. See V. I. Note, p. 150. (Agassiz.)
Fig. 9. Anterior extremity of the lower jaw of Holoptychus Hibberti, from the Limestone of Burdie house, near Edinburgh. See Note, V. I. p. 209. The rugged surface of this bone is very remarkable. (Hibbert.)
Fig. 9'. Small teeth of Holoptychus Hibberti, fluted externally towards their base, and having a hollow cone within. (Hibbert.)
Fig. 9″. A small tooth magnified. (Hibbert.) Fig. 10. One of the larger teeth in the Jaw of Holoptychus Hibberti, deeply fluted at the base, and having a hollow cone within. None of these teeth have sockets, but they adhere by a bony attachment to the jaw. (Hibbert.)
Fig. 11. Tooth of Holoptychus Hibberti. (Hibbert.)
Fig. 12. Tooth of Megalichthys Hibberti.[1] (Hibbert.)
Figs. 13, 14. Teeth of Holoptychus Hibberti. (Hibbert.)
Figs. 11. 12. 13. 14. are from Burdie house.




  1. Since the discovery of Megalichthys, which we have quoted in V. I. p. 210, Mr. W. Anstice, of Madeley, has found two jaws and punctate scales of the same species, in nodules of Iron stone from the Coal field of Coalbrook Dale; he has also found Ichthyodorulites, bones of fishes, and Coprolites, forming the nuclei of other balls of the same Iron stone.

    Mr. Murchison has still more recently (1835) discovered remains of the Megalichthys, Holoptychus, and Coprolites, with several species of Unio, in the Wolverhampton Coal field. These great Sauroid fishes, which were first recognised at Edinburgh, in Sept. 1834, have also been detected in the English Coal fields of Newcastle on Tyne, Leeds, and Newcastle under Lyne.