Dr. Heddle gave in a report as to the general results of the Societies (sic) digging at Dura Den.
So successful had this exploration proved that there could be no doubt that the finest collection of the fishes of that locality was that now in the possession of the Society.
On the thirty slabs now deposited in the museum were to be seen specimens of the following fishes
Holoptychius Andersonii and probably
Murchiesoni and Flemingii,
Glyptolaemus (sic) Kinnairdii and probably
a new and smaller species of the genus
Phaneropleuron Andersoni
Glyptopomus Minor
the so called Pamphractus and
possibly Glytolepis
Much new and important information as to the structure of these fishes may be gleaned from a careful study of these magnificent specimens. The bony plates of the head of the Holoptychius were beautifully shown. The specimens of Phaneropleuron would show that, contrary to the views of Professor Huxley, the jugular region was not protected by bony plates as in the case of genus Glyptolaemus, and that the vertebral column was ossified in no part but had probably been gelatinous. Unfortunately none of the Society specimens exhibited the very peculiar measure in which the neck and jugular region of this fish was protected from injury: the lobation of the fins was perhaps not so pronounced as in Huxley's restorations.
The five specimens of Pamphractus, whole and unshattered clearly showed that such a name could not be bestowed upon the fish, and left no doubt of its being but a species of Pterychthus: one of the specimens shows the tail.
Dr. Heddle from an inspection of the specimens of Platygnathus Jamesoni and Diplopterus Dalgleishiensis in the British Museum gave it as his opinion that neither were specifically distinct - the former being probably the caudal extremity of a large size Holoptychius and the latter, tho' its bad condition rendered judgment by no means easy, a head of Glyptolaemus.
In the museum of the Society there is also a magnificent specimen which has been named Glyptolepis. This however Dr. Heddle believes will prove a new species, if not genus.
From the minutes of the Literary & Philosophical Society of St. Andrews