pterichthys

[Pref. pter-, and Gr. ichthys =a fish.] Palæont.. A genus of Placoderms, discovered by Hugh Miller in the Old Red Sandstone. The head and anterior part of the trunk were defended by a buckler of large ganoid scales, united by sutures, the cuira articulating at the sides with a back plate; the rest of the body covered with small ganoid scales. Pectorals long and wing-like; Owen is of opinion that they enabled the animal to scramble along if stranded at low water; a small dorsal, two ventrals, and a heterocercal caudal were also present; tail scaly and short; jaw small, with confluent denticles. Twelve species; eight from the Lower, and four from the Upper Devonian of Orkney, Cromarty, Caithne , Scotland, and in Ireland. ptěr-id-1-ŭm, s. [Latinized dim. from Gr. pteron a wing.] Bot.: A samara (q. v.). ( Mir bel.) [PTERODIUM.] pter-i-dol-o-gist, s. [Eng. pteridolog(y); -ist. One who studies, writes upon, or is versed in, pteridology. Pterichthys Miller i. d. Dorsal fin; c. Péc. toral limb; 2-10 Head-bucklers; 11-14 Dorsal. bucklers.