On the Nomenclature of the Fossil Chimæroid Fishes

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Abstract
In a former communication to the Geological Society in 1843, I endeavoured to show that the fossils described by Br. Buckland in his paper of November 1835, and referred by him to the genus Chimœra , presented differential characters of sufficient importance to warrant their separation from that genus. It was proposed to arrange them under three genera,—viz. Ischyodus , of which Chimœra Townshendi was the type; Elasmodus , typified by Chimœra Hunteri ; and Ganodus , by Chimœra Colei . These generic distinctions were sanctioned and adopted by Professor Agassiz with the further elimination of certain species with falciform lower mandibles, such as Chimœra Mantelli , under the generic name Psittacodon . At that time I had not had an opportunity of examining the specimens discovered by Mr. Sibthorpe at Goldworth Hill, and described by Dr. Buckland in 1838 under the generic names Edaphodon and Passalodon , but having some fragments of the former genus, from Bracklesham Bay, I noticed the close resemblance of these to the other fossil Chimæroids, especially in structure, and alluded to it in the description of the upper maxillary bone of Chimœra Agassizi , and more pointedly in a subsequent paragraph referring to the general affinities of the recent and fossil Chimæroids. In the course of the present year I have not only seen the casts of Mr. Sibthorpe's specimens, from which the figures in the ‘Poissons Fossiles’ were drawm, but, through the kindness of Mr. Dixon, have had an opportunity of studying a series of specimens of these genera, in a very perfect

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