1. Material and Method
The materals used are the teeth of the upper and lower jaws, palatine, vomer, tongue and pharynx of
Scombrops boops (H
OURRUVN), measuring 10-20 cm in total length. The same method as before has been adopted.
2. External features.
The alveolar parts of the jaws and palatines consist of inner and outer bony plates. The teeth are either inserted between these plates or attached to either of the two. The teeth of the jaws stand in a row, and the palatine teeth are in two rows. These teeth are all elongated cones. The vomerine, lingual and pharyngeal teeth are very small and swarm in the form of villiform teeth. They curve inwards and backwards.
3. Microscopic Findings.
With the exception of the villiform teeth of which the presence of enamel is doubtful, all the teeth consist of enamal and dentin.
The enamel is of homogenous structure, and covers one half or one-third from the apex of a tooth.
The dentin of this fish is identical with the osteodentin described by C. S. TOMES in his study of the pike, and includes what R. OWEN called medullary canal.
These teeth when fully developed, are anchylosed to the bones.
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